Before your water breaks, you may want to hit the pool for a little exercise — especially if you've got your sights set on having your baby au naturel.
A recent study published in the journal Reproductive Health has found that expecting women who did 50 minutes of water aerobics three days a week while pregnant had fewer requests for pain medication in labor. Researchers believe that the classes may have actually helped to prepare women for the child birthing process.
In no way am I comparing the rigors of giving birth to an hour's romp in the pool, but it's just another reason that mamas-to-be should try to exercise. I know it's hard when all you want to do is curl up on the couch, but a lil movement is good for your pregnancy, your baby, and now your pain level during labor.
Benefit
Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti
Eddie Bauer
I did water aerobics until 2 weeks before my due date. It made me feel so good. I couldn't stay on the elliptical much past mid point and just to exercise a bit and feel so light it did wonder for my body and my mind!
1Exercise in general makes labor easier, and recovery easier. Also, I believe it's been shown that women who keep up a regular exercise in preparation for labor are less likely to request drugs in general, so it's not necessarily the water aerobics themselves that reduce the chances of an epidural.
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