The physical effort involved in pregnancy and childbirth can be compared to that of an athlete who takes part in a marathon and prepares for it the whole year before. Pregnant women should therefore take special care of all aspects of their own fitness during this period - both by eating a good diet and drinking plenty of water, as well as by giving their bodies a daily dose of exercise at the right intensity. Agnieszka Bajer-Ciszewska, an experienced fitness trainer and nutrition specialist, discusses how to properly complete this pre-natal training.
Drinking adequate amounts of water and exercise are essential conditions for keeping the body in good physical condition. Pregnant women should, however, pay special attention to this - as they are not only concerned with their own health, but also with how the yet unborn baby will develop.
A healthy mother-to-be means a healthy baby
Scientists have calculated that the body of a child growing in the abdomen consists of almost 90% water. Water, or more precisely amniotic water, is also its natural environment throughout pregnancy. It is therefore important to ensure that it is properly replenished throughout the day.
- Pregnant women need approximately 3 litres of water a day. In addition to the needs of the foetus and its environment, water is also necessary to improve the work of organs that are more than usually under strain, such as the kidneys, the circulatory system, the digestive system, the muscular system, and also to improve the condition of the skin, which tends to lose its proper hydration during this period , says Dr Agnieszka Bajer-Ciszewska.
photo ojoimages
Fluid supplementation helps to alleviate unpleasant pregnancy discomforts such as nausea or constipation. It improves wellbeing and is calorie-free, thus helping to maintain an appropriate body weight, which is particularly important in a period particularly conducive to excessive weight gain.
