exercises n pregnancy

People at home have been advising me that light exercises are good in helping with delivery of the baby.However does exercises really make your delivery heaps easier in pushing and not tearing?In general,exercises are good for everybody even when you are not pregnant.I just want to know does it makes the ultimate pushing and dealing with pains a lot easier?For those of you who does exercises,did you have an easier delivery?

Hard to figure out if the exercises helped make my pregnancy easier - just pregnant one time and exercised throughout - and had incredibly long labor. Can tell you that my stamina developed during exercise (I was a more moderate to heavy exerciser) helped me withstand my long labor (36+ hours) and allowed me to pop my baby out in under 10 minutes. (she came out on my second push timed with my contraction.) I was physically able to handle the grueling work involved in the labor process - also feel like my lung capacity and blood flow was better having exercised. (I had a completely natural birth.)


there is some research that massaging "down there" regular and stretching that area "down there" can reduce tearing - and that kegel exercises can help you bounce back after pregnancy.


I used this book "Maternal Fitness" by Julie Tupler throughout my pregnancy to help me get ready. Her book claims that her stomach exercises and kegel exercises help you really push the baby out quicker - dont' know if that was true, but felt heaps more confident going into labor. If you're planning on having an epidural or c-section, I would just exercise for your own general sense of well-being and not worry too much about the labor.

Exercise in pregnancy carries the same benefits as any general exercise at any other time. It is always wise to seek advise regarding the type of exercise a woman wishes to undertake in pregnancy. As for exercises that assist the second stage of labour then general breathing and relaxation techniques seem to be quite effective, there are no other specific exercises for the second stage. Perineal massage techniques are often used as means to prevent tearing but have not been scientifically proven to be effective but do no harm.


Our Physyiotherapy team run a class if you are interested in joining.


Lynne - 2849 0328

Matilda International Hospital

Hong Kong

http://www.matilda.org