7 Benefits Of Prenatal Water Aerobics
You’ve heard of using water aerobics for weight loss, and you know water aerobics for seniors is popular, but did you know that this form of exercise is great for pregnancy too? Here are the benefits of performing water aerobics for pregnant ladies
Reduced back pain
Pregnancy is painful. With carrying all that extra weight around for so long, back pain is one of the most common complaints of pregnant women. Water supports your weight, taking the stress off your muscles and skeleton, and reducing the stress put on your back. For a little while, it’s like you’re not carrying a human around in your abdomen, and frequent water exercise will reduce the amount of back pain you feel on land as well.
Reduced swelling
Swelling is another uncomfortable reality of being pregnant. This is often caused by fluid retention as a result of reduced blood flow, especially in your legs and feet. If you want to fit into all your nice shoes again, then water aerobics improves blood flow and reduces swelling.
Less pressure on the bladder
While it’s holding the weight of your baby, the water reduces the amount of pressure put on your bladder. If you’re struggling to get used to the number of times you need to rush to the bathroom these days, this will be a godsend.
Muscle building
Water provides resistance, which is why it feels very heavy and difficult to do anything underwater. This means that moving underwater is a great way to build muscle, even doing something as simple as walking or jogging. Even if being pregnant might make it hard for you to hit the gym and lift weights, you can still stay fit and muscular by doing a water aerobics workout.
Pain-free exercise
Staying fit is important to a lot of people, and frequent exercise is great for so many aspects of your health. It becomes difficult to do with the pains, tiredness and extra weight of being pregnant. Your usual workouts might prove too painful and difficult to perform, but water aerobics provides support for your body so that exercise is easier and causes you less pain. It puts less stress on your joints and helps you exercise painlessly, allowing you to stay active up until you deliver.
Mental preparation
There is a lot of stress and fear related to being pregnant, especially if it’s the first time. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health. The water provides an excellent place to relax and be soothed, as well as create visualisations for yourself. You can imagine the best possible outcome and slowly release the fear you hold about childbirth and the early days of being a mother.
Easier delivery
A fit, strong and healthy mother is likely to have an easier delivery than someone who isn’t in shape. Endurance is required during childbirth, and you’ll have plenty of that if you work out. This means you will become less exhausted. Additionally, being in shape usually makes labour shorter and require less medical intervention. Since water aerobics is an easy exercise to continue throughout your entire pregnancy, it’s very likely to keep you as fit and in shape as you need to be for the big day.