3 Choice of activities for pregnant women in the 3rd trimester before delivery

The age of pregnancy, which has entered the 3rd trimester, may make you actively prepare and get plenty of rest to welcome the day of delivery. However, this does not mean limiting you to various physical activities, as long as it is safe for pregnant women to do. In fact, what physical activity options can pregnant women do in the 3rd trimester?

Why do 3rd trimester pregnant women need to do physical activity?

Entering the third trimester of pregnancy, it may make you more alert in doing various activities. Even so, it is actually safe to do physical activity as long as your pregnancy is normal and you don't have any problems.

Quoting from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, physical activity is not associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. In fact, being active every day will not put you at risk of giving birth to a baby earlier than time (premature), or low birth weight (LBW).

The opposite is precisely explained by a study published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. Mothers who are pregnant, including in the 3rd trimester, are advised to do physical activity.

One of the goals is to support the development of the baby in the womb. In addition, physical activity carried out by pregnant women can also prevent gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and maintain body weight.

Physical activity options for pregnant women in the 3rd trimester

Before third trimester pregnant women do physical activity, you should first consult with your doctor. The health condition of your body and your pregnancy will later affect the types of physical activity you can do.

If the doctor has given the "green light", you can do physical activity according to your ability. The following is a selection of activities for pregnant women to do in the 3rd trimester:

1. Take a leisurely walk

Doing a leisurely walk can be said as a form of physical activity that is good for pregnant women, including in the 3rd trimester. If it is possible, you can increase their speed by jogging casually.

However, running is not the best option to do at this late stage of pregnancy. Because it could, you just feel uncomfortable or even experience certain health problems.

Even during walking or jogging, it's okay to slow down or stop your activities when your body feels uncomfortable.

2. Swimming

Apart from being done on land, you can also do physical activity for pregnant women in the 3rd trimester in the water. For example swimming or aerobic activities in water.

The good news is, this activity can be a therapy to relieve discomfort you may experience during pregnancy, especially in the legs and back. This is because the water, which soaks the mother's body during swimming, can help relieve tiring pressure on the legs and back.

Reinforced by research published in the journal Peer J, moderate-intensity physical activity in water is believed to speed up labor time. However, even though it is done in water, this activity can also result in sweating because it involves the use of energy on the body.

This is similar to when you do activities on land. So, you should do activities in the water in moderation according to your ability.

3. Doing sportslow impact

There are several options for physical activity low impactwhich benefits are very well done by third trimester pregnant women. Take for example, such as yoga, pilates, to cycling.

The reason is, all of these activities involve muscle function, thus helping to support the birthing process later. In particular, the movement from physical activity can strengthen the abdominal muscles, improve posture, and then smooth the process of pushing.

It doesn't stop there, a study from the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, states the benefits of yoga for pregnant women.

The research shows that yoga can actually relieve anxiety and depression that is often experienced by pregnant women, including in the third trimester before childbirth. By doing yoga on a regular basis, conditionsmood as well as complaints of pain that may be experienced by pregnant women, it can get better.