Kiddipedia
Continuing on from my previous post this one will focus on exercising during your second trimester. At this point, you will see and feel noticeable changes in your body.
At this point in your pregnancy, your baby is growing and your belly is bigger. Limit exercises that require you to lie on your back for long periods, if you experience signs such as feeling nauseous, dizzy and lightheadedness sit back up.
As your baby continues to grow there is more weight pulling your lower back and your centre of gravity shifts forward, many women at this point may start to experience lower back pain, at this point be more aware of your posture. As we progress here physiological changes are happening such as the hormone relaxin is now present, the hormone relaxin during pregnancy allows your joint to become more flexible (during delivery) hence be more wary of stretching, you can still stretch, but don’t push yourself to the end range.
Exercise modifications:
- Modifying lying on back core exercises to exercises such as a plank. It is imperative that your deep core muscles are active or do standing core exercises.
- If you’re doing Pilates, yoga keep doing those but avoid exercises that require lying on your back
- If you feel like those land-based exercises are harder to maintain in this period try walking in the pool, as there is no pressure on joints in the pool.
Other than continue with the majority of exercises you were doing in the first trimester, take regular breaks as needed and stay hydrated.
You may also like to read:
Exercise in your First Trimester
When can women return to high impact training exercise after having a baby?
The early postnatal period – the Do’s and Dont’s of Exercise
