Staying active can help with some pregnancy issues like mood swings, back pain and sleep problems. It can even make labor much easier. However, picking the right activities is crucial for your health and your little one.
You know, your body goes through many changes at this time. And these changes mean you ought to be careful about the type of exercise you choose.
Jumping on a trampoline seems like a fun way, but while pregnant, you might need to rethink its safety. This article discusses this thoroughly.
Can you go on a trampoline when pregnant?
Generally, doctors urge against using trampoline while pregnant. The reason is very straightforward. During pregnancy, your body keeps changing in many ways. Your ligaments and joints become softer and stretchier.
This makes sense because your system is getting ready for childbirth, but it also means you’re more wobbly and could fall easier. Falling is something you really want to avoid when you have a little one growing inside you.
The bounce of the trampoline adds another level of risk. It can throw away your balance, which is already a bit off during pregnancy. If you fall, it would be very dangerous for both you and the baby.
Some might say, “But what if I’m careful?” It’s a reasonable question though. You might be the chariest trampoline jumper in the world; but accidents do happen. And in pregnancy, it’s not only about you, but your baby. So playing it safe and finding other ways to keep fit might be your surest bet.
The crux is, while you might miss the fun of jumping on a trampoline, there are a lot of exercises you can try. Walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga are all great options. (We’ll talk them further).
Also, always check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise. They’d tell you whether it’s safe for your specific situation or not. After your baby is in, and you’re recovered, you can enjoy trampoline.
Alternatives to trampolining while pregnant
Although these stationary rings might be off the list due to its high impacts and risks of falls, there’re a couple of other activities you can enjoy and are beneficial too. Let’s uncover them:
1. Walking
This is the first on my list of the safest exercises for pregnant mothers all over the world. It’s easy on your body and doesn’t require any specific tool. It can also be done anywhere, at anytime and doesn’t cost a thing.
Whether it’s a brisk walk in the neighborhoods, a stroll around your block or even wandering through the halls at work at breaktimes, walking keeps your muscles active and heart rate up without extra pressure on your body.
But that’s not all. It comes with some pretty benefits. For starters, it’s great for your mood. Pregnancy can be such a looping ride but regular walks can help release endorphins, which are feel good hormones that boost your mood and reduce stress.
Why Walking is Great During Pregnancy
- Walking doesn’t strain your joints. It’s so gentle on them and this is important because your joints are already vulnerable at these times due to pregnancy hormones.
- It’s good for your heart. When you walk an hour or two daily, you keep your cardiovascular system healthy. This maintains your endurance and overall fitness. This can be very beneficial during labor and recovery.
- The flexibility factor! You can do it anywhere, anytime and any day. It could be a stroll around the neighborhood or even marching indoors at a shopping mall. Walking can fit into any schedule.
- Walking boosts moods. It releases endorphins, which is our bodies’ feel-good hormones. and this can be a great way to combat prenatal blues.
- Helps alleviation of pregnancy symptoms like swelling and gestational diabetes. It also corrects pregnant women’s sleeping problems.
- It’s also more of a social activity; Just so you don’t get boring and lazy, you can get along some company. Walking with a partner, friend, a pet, or even joining a walking group for preggy moms can be a great way to stay connected and enjoy some company as you exercise.
- Walking also prepares you for labor, increasing your stamina and muscle strength.
Now, before you lace up your sneakers and flit, here are a couple of things to know. First, be sure to wear supportive shoes to prevent any pain.
Also drink enough water, especially during the summer. Carry a water bottle with you. And most importantly, pace yourself. The goal is to stay active and feel good, and not set personal speed records.
2. Swimming:
Despite the extra pounds in pregnancy, swimming makes you feel weightless and many pregnant women love it for that matter. It feels so relieving when the water holds your body and takes the pressure off your joints.
Swimming is also a great way to exercise during pregnancy, which is quite different from the high-impact activity of trampolining. It offers several benefits and feels like a respite from the physical demands of carrying a baby.
Moreover, there is almost no risk of falling or losing balance while you’re in a pool. Swimming provides a cooling effect, which is so convenient and an escape to the warmth of pregnant bodies.
The cool water also offers an excellent environment to work out without superheating and sweating. The benefits go beyond just safety and comfort. It involves the whole body, which means it’s a fantastic circulatory workout that strengthens the heart.
This can be particularly advantageous during labor, which requires stamina, strength, and endurance.
Before starting a swimming routine, it’s great to discuss with your OB-GYN and get the green light. Once you have their approval, don’t rush into it. Take it as easy as possible. listen to your body signals and be sure to drink enough water.
For all expectant mothers who must put trampolining on hold, swimming emerges as an outstanding alternative. It’s not only safer, but also beneficial in terms of physical health and mental wellbeing.
Also Read: Can You Go On Waterslides While Pregnant?
3. Prenatal Yoga:
Just like walking and swimming, prenatal yoga is another perfect alternative to trampolining as it offers physical benefits such as enhanced balance, strength, flexibility, and mental health perks like stress reduction and improved concentration.
This exercise’s foundation is creating and maintaining flexibility and strength through gentle stretches. It highlights the benefits of breathing, and the techniques you learn can minimize stress levels and help you relax well.
It promotes an overall sense of wellbeing, which is important during this significant life phase.
There are yoga classes specifically designed for pregnant women. And most of these focus on safe poses and breathing techniques for labor.
The muscles in the abdomen, back and kegels are very well strengthened when you stick to yoga. This helps your pelvic floor get stronger, too. The elements of prenatal yoga prepare your body for the BIG DAY, and will also speed postpartum recovery.
You also benefit from social interaction with other expectant mothers by joining prenatal yoga classes, which is an invaluable emotional support during pregnancy. Sharing experiences and tips can promote a positive outlook while alleviating common concerns.
However, before starting any yoga class, inform your doctor about your decision. They will assess your current state and tell you whether you can go ahead or give it a pause button.
Once your doctor approves of your decision, you should find an instructor who has experience training pregnant moms. These trainers understand the limitations and needs in pregnancies.
4. Stationary Cycling:
This is also called spinning. It’s a workout that gets you good circulatory exercise that’s both effective and gentle, unlike trampolining, which involves bouncing and jumping that can increase the risk of falls and put pressure on the pelvic floor.
The beauty of stationery cycling in pregnancy lies on its versatility. On it, you’re in absolute control of the pace and intensity.
Its adjustable nature means you can change the seat and handlebar height to allow for your changing body and ensure maximum comfort.
This allows you to customize your workout to how you feel on any given day. Unlike outdoor cycling, there’s no danger of falls, or colliding with something. And it makes it a carefree option for maintaining fitness while expecting.
It also checks your circulatory or cardiovascular health. A good cardio health benefits both mom and baby by improving blood flow and ensuring that essential nutrients are delivered.
Stationary cycling also checks weight gain, reduce risks of gestational diabetes and may lead to an easier labor. Moreover, this exercise is easy on the joints.
Its low impact nature makes you exercise without the added stress on the joints, making it an ideal choice as pregnancy progress and baby bump grows
Before hopping on the bike, check in with your doctor first, especially those who are managing pregnancy-related issues. Once you have the green light, remember to start slowly.
Drink more liquids and avoid overheating, which isn’t the best thing during pregnancy. Also, listen to your body, if you experience any weird symptom, stay off.
5. Low-Impact Aerobics:
Try to find classes made for pregnant women. These classes get rid of high-impact moves and jumping and focus more on maintaining fitness.
This type of exercise is all about moving your body in ways that are gentle but still have your heart pumping. You can slow-match and do arm movements that won’t make you worry about too much pressure on your belly.
Plus there’s usually a groovy music to make things fun and energetic so you won’t even miss the trampoline.
Another advantage is that low impact aerobics classes have a lot of people in the same demographics and situation joining, so you’re likely to meet other first-time moms and pregnant women, ensuring your emotional health.
For starters, it’s kinder to your joints. When you’re carrying extra baby weight, your knees and ankles will thank you for not making them deal with the extra oomph from trampoline springs.
These gentler aerobics can also help keep swelling in your legs at bay, thanks to the moving and grooving that keeps your blood flowing nicely. And speaking of flow, the exercises can help with your balance – which, let’s be real, can get a bit wobbly as your belly grows.
Before you think of pursuing this exercise, discuss it with your doctor, like always. While they give you the go-ahead, find a class made for pregnant moms or a video to follow along at home. Remember to drink more water, wear comfortable clothes and take breaks if you need.
6. Strength Training:
Strength training is also known as resistance training. You probably thinking about lifting heavy weights or becoming a bodybuilder. But that isn’t it. The aim is to build muscle strength in a gentler way that looks just right for for you.
You can use light weights, resistance bands or even your own body weight to exercise. The idea is to enhance the muscles you’ll need for carrying your baby, through labor and bouncing back quicker after your baby arrives.
Now, you might be thinking why you should rather pick up weights instead of jumping on the trampoline. Well, for starters, strength training is fantastic for your posture.
As your baby grows, your center of gravity shifts, which can lead to a couple of aches here and there at your back and neck. Strengthening your back, shoulders, and core can help you stand taller and minimize discomfort.
Plus, exercises like squats and pelvic floor can prepare your body for delivery, easing you on the big day. Another benefit of this exercise for expectant mothers is its boost in their metabolism.
Pregnancy naturally would make you put on weight, which is healthy and necessary. But by building your muscles, you can check the excess weight and make it a tad easier to shed those pounds quickly after your baby is born.
It can also boost your mood so well. You know, pregnancy comes with fluctuating moods and regular exercises like these would release endorphins, which we also call feel good hormones that can keep pregnancy blues out of the way.
Getting started with strength training is easier than you might think. I advise that you look for a prenatal fitness class led by a qualified instructor who has experience handling pregnant women in their class.
You can also find plenty of pregnancy-safe strength training routines online. There are apps for these as well. Remember to keep things light and focus on feeling good instead of pushing your limits.
These exercises can be substituted for trampoling anytime, anyday. But before you start, discuss with your obstetrician to know whether they’re safe for your situation. They know your health status better than anyone else and would recommend for or against it accordingly.
Also Read: Can You Parasail While Pregnant?
Final Say – Can You Jump On Trampoline While Pregnant?
The consensus among health experts suggests that it’s better to steer clear of trampolining at these weaker times, so as we say so.
The excitement and fun are perhaps hard to deny, but when you’re expecting, it’s always better to play it safe as your health and baby’s become the uppermost priority.
However, this doesn’t mean to put a stop to all the fun or exercises. There are plenty of alternatives that are safer and enjoyable.
Like walking, prenatal yoga or swimming can keep you active, enhance your health and at the same time, be gentle on your body.
Remember, every pregnancy is different. That’s why we recommend discussing it with your doctor before starting any routine exercise.
