Journey to Pregnancy–Respecting Your Body and Mind

Any parent will tell you that having a child is one of the biggest changes you will ever experience in life. As soon as a couple discovers they are pregnant, life as they know it will never be the same. As cliché as it sounds, it is absolutely true, and many people are simply not prepared for the massive changes their relationships and life styles will undergo.

This is particularly true for women who will experience their bodies changing in ways they never imagined possible. This being said, it’s easy to see how important preparation is when considering starting a family. If you have the luxury of being able to plan your pregnancy, you should certainly incorporate exercise both physical and mental into your preconception preparations.

After consulting with your doctor, you may want to consider beginning a fitness regime. The benefits of exercise during pregnancy are numerous. Not only does regular, low impact exercise reduce unnecessary weight gain, it can also elevate mood, relieve leg cramps and help with the insomnia that often accompanies pregnancy. When you are trying to conceive, exercise helps to keep your weight at an optimum level which is turn regulates your hormone production. This is important in order to maintain a predictable ovulation cycle, increasing your chances of conception. Incorporating some resistance training into your pre conception work out has great benefits as well. The average woman carries thirty five pounds of pregnancy weight and gaining muscle mass will ensure that you don’t suffer any unnecessary exhaustion. Focus on building long, lean muscles throughout your body by using light weights or taking a few Pilates classes. Imagine the amount of time you are going to spend hoisting your toddler in the future – having strong arms and a powerful core will go far in reducing the inevitable strain.

Taking a holistic approach to your preconception exercise routine will help to reduce some of the emotional tension that you may experience. Much has been said about the physical exhaustion of parenthood, but your emotional health needs to be taken just as seriously. Take the time before you conceive to learn relaxation techniques that will help you in the tumultuous years to come. Meditation, creative visualization and yoga are just some ways that you can learn to nurture your emotional self. Remember the importance of communication and spend some time with your partner talking about your expectations and anxieties about starting a family. Your relationship will be deeply affected by having a child and you need to be sure you are both aware of the sacrifices and challenges that may be ahead of you. By gaining a deep knowledge of yourself and your partner, you are preparing to become the best parents you can be for your little one.

In many cases, couples don’t have the time to establish a healthy preconception routine. If this is the case with you and your partner, remember that it’s never too late to make important lifestyle changes when expecting a child. The most important things to do are to quit drinking, smoking and other unhealthy habits. Whether your pregnancy is planned or a surprise, there is no excuse for putting your unborn child’s health at risk. When those habits are taken care of, start to gently incorporate the above mentioned activities into your routine, always being aware of your limitations and ensuring you don’t push yourself too far.

Respecting your body and your mind is perhaps the most important pre conception exercise routine to follow. Your body undergoes amazing transformations when you become pregnant and you will no doubt gain a new appreciation of its abilities. The same can be said for your mind. Some parts of your journey to parenthood you won’t be able to prepare for and it’s best to simply sit back and try to enjoy the process and all of its challenges.