Preconception exercise
The first six months prior to conception is vital in terms of
having the female and male bodies in optimum condition. This can be
achieved through good nutrition and exercise.
The most important time in pregnancy is the first four to eight
weeks when most of the baby's vital organs are forming. Therefore
the importance of stopping smoking and drinking and getting a good
exercise and nutrition routine going are so important before the
conception.
Exercising within the first six months prior to conception can help
relieve the stress for couples who are trying to get pregnant and
can help prevent gestational diabetes in women once they become
pregnant. Having a well balanced regime consisting of
cardiovascular exercise, weight training, eating regularly and
healthily and getting adequate sleep will contribute very
positively to the conception. It is advisable for athletes and
those who exercise at a high intensity to moderate their training
in order for their bodies to be optimally balanced in order to
conceive. Highly intensive training can disrupt this balance as the
body can be depleated in essential minerals and vitamins due to
over training.
For more information on pre and postnatal nutrition and
exercise, see pages under "Mum".