Exercising During The Second Trimester

The second trimester brings challenges of its own. The baby in your stomach begins to grow quickly and changes in the baby occur every week. You become more vulnerable, because you are growing in size quite quickly now. Your activities become limited. If you are following a strenuous pregnancy exercise regimen, then it has to be brought down to a less strenuous routine as soon as possible. This means, you may need to recheck your exercise routine. Talk to your doctor and your fitness trainer to devise a proper exercise routine, especially for the second trimester.

Abdominal Exercises during the Second Trimester

While it was all right to swim during the first trimester, it may not be such a good idea now on. Abdominal exercises should be done standing. Exercising while laying on the back cause the uterus to put pressure on the vein in the lower back, which carries blood to your heart. If this happens, you may start to feel dizzy and faint.

Lifting Weights during the Second Trimester

Lifting weights during the second trimester of pregnancy is also a no. This is because; lifting weight causes an increase in blood volume, which in turn can cause blood pools in the body. This can be dangerous for mother and baby.

The Hormone Relaxin

During the second trimester, your body releases a hormone called relaxin. This hormone relaxes your body and prepares you for childbirth. When you exercise, your body parts become more vulnerable to injury, as due to the production of this hormone, your body will not alert you if you over do the exercise.

Avoid Strenuous Sports

It would be wise to stay away from all sports that could hurt your growing abdomen. The best exercise really is walking or doing some yoga, under the guidance of a yoga instructor who specializes in yoga during pregnancy.

When Exercise Can Be Dangerous

Finally, there are times when exercise can be dangerous. If you have asthma, pregnancy induced blood pressure, vaginal bleeding, or a history of late miscarriage, please refrain from exercising during this period.

We wish you a safe and happy second trimester.