Many pregnant women think that pregnancy can be a time full of fatigue and lethargy and some will be able to relate to feeling tired and lacking energy throughout their pregnancy. However, there are ways of increasing energy levels during pregnancy by keeping active, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated and topping up iron levels.
Parenting on Female First
Multiple-marathon runner Nell McAndrew is used to clocking up 80 miles a week when in training, but now pregnant with her second child (due in March) she has cut down on running and is now focussing on power walking to help maintain high energy levels. With an extremely busy sporting lifestyle and being pregnant Nell McAndrew, uses Spatone every day to help top up her iron levels.
Nell says: “I first discovered the benefits of Spatone when I increased my exercise regime and started to run marathons. The increase in exercise caused my body to demand a higher level of iron which I couldn’t achieve in my diet alone.
“Now pregnant with my second child I still want to keep ensuring exercise is a key part of my life as it helps to boost my energy, plus the fresh air from exercising outside helps me to sleep better at night. I maintain a healthy diet by eating porridge most mornings, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and the occasional piece of dark chocolate. Every day I take two sachets of Spatone mid-morning as well as a multivitamin and fish oils.â€
Here are 4 Top Tips for keeping fit, fabulous and full of energy during pregnancy:
Keep Active - Remaining active and energetic is good for the health of both mother and child. It is very important for pregnant women to keep fit, just going out for a brisk walk will help to improve circulation, which helps to prevent constipation, reduce swelling of the ankles and leg cramps. Gentle regular exercise will also help to strengthen muscles and the cardiovascular system, therefore making it easier to accomplish tasks with less effort. Exercise has also been shown to improve moods and crucial in helping the body to prepare for childbirth.
Sleep Well - Sleep is vital for maintaining and improving energy levels. During pregnancy as inadequate amount of sleep can make you feel less energetic and more lethargic. Exercising on a regular basis will help work off excess energy and tire the body resulting in a more restful slumber.
Drink Plenty of Water - Dehydration can cause tiredness and give you the feeling of no energy. During pregnancy try to avoid caffeinated drinks which temporarily boost energy levels, but will eventually wear off. Instead aim to drink at least 1.2 litres of fluid a day to keep dehydration at bay.
Top up on Energy - Iron is required during pregnancy to help keep energy levels high as pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to low iron levels due to the increased demand of iron needed for the optimum growth and development of the baby’s brain and nerves.
In the last six weeks of pregnancy the baby builds up its own storage of iron from its mother to last for the first 4-6 months following birth. Therefore iron demands can triple by the end of pregnancy, this is often difficult to achieve from dietary sources alone, so help top up your iron levels with a natural iron supplement such as Spatone®.
Spatone contains Spatone spa water sourced from the Welsh mountains of Snowdonia National Park - which can help top up your iron levels whilst causing fewer of the unpleasant side effects often experienced with conventional iron supplements.
Available from Boots, £9.95 for 28 sachets (4 weeks supply).
For more info visit www.spatone.com
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