Pregnant women are advised to exercise

Obstetrician and Gynecologist Operator Dr. Şeyma Çolak Yüksek stated that exercises performed during pregnancy facilitate the birth process.

Operating at Malatya-Yesilyurt Hasan Çalık State Hospital, Obstetrician and Gynecologist Operator Dr. Şeyma Çolak Yüksek expressed that exercises done during pregnancy facilitate the birth process.

Yüksek pointed out that it is inevitable for women who do not have a regular exercise routine to encounter various problems during pregnancy. She said, ‘First and foremost, we recommend nutrition and lifestyle changes to our pregnant patients. Exercise is one of the key lifestyle changes. With the progression of weeks in pregnancy, changes occur in the body due to both hormonal shifts and weight gain. These changes can lead to problems in women who have not previously engaged in sports or have limited physical activity. Pregnant women with irregular exercise routines or physical issues in their muscles and joints may experience problems due to the relaxation of joint ligaments and muscles not being able to cope with it under the influence of hormones, leading to postural changes and lower back pain.’

“Exercises facilitate childbirth”
Yüksek noted that the type of postpartum exercise changes, stating, ‘Stretching exercises, strength-building exercises, and especially pilates that do not increase intra-abdominal pressure are the exercises we particularly recommend. For low-risk pregnant women without previous orthopedic issues and with a non-risky pregnancy, we recommend exercises starting from the first three months. These exercises should be tailored for pregnant women and should be provided by competent individuals. We do not recommend online exercise trainings. Especially in the last three months of pregnancy, we recommend short walks to facilitate childbirth and help the mother adapt to increased physical activity after birth. In general, exercises facilitate childbirth in pregnant women without complications.’