FERTILITY & FITNESS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

NEW KIDS WITH MUM OF TWO AND SOCIAL COMMENTATOR ANGELA MOLLARD

Long gone are the days when pregnancy went hand in hand with putting your feet up. And while age is still one of the most important factors in becoming pregnant, experts are agreed that lifestyle factors – including exercise – can be enormously beneficial, from conception through to post-delivery.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Keeping your body mass index (BMI) within a normal range (18.5 to 25) is important for women who want to maximise their chances of falling pregnant, according to Dr David Knight of Demeter Fertility. Being under- or overweight not only impacts on ovulation, but can decrease the chance of an embryo implanting.

‘Women shouldn’t wait until they are pregnant to start a fitness regimen; instead, moderate physical activity can increase a woman’s chances of conceiving,’ says David. He recommends 30 minutes a day of brisk walking, cycling, a light jog or even gardening.

PREGNANCY

Exercising during pregnancy is not only safe but it has many physical and mental benefits. As well as helping you maintain a healthy body weight, exercise lowers the risk of gestational diabetes, prepares the body for birth and relieves stress. David says rather than depleting energy, exercise can revitalise the body and stem the sluggishness.

‘Yoga and Pilates are beneficial for stretching, as well as strengthening the tummy, back and pelvic-floor muscles,’ says David, who also recommends doing low-impact aerobics, swimming and weight training for increasing strength.

POST-DELIVERY

While new mums can feel as if they have no time, gentle exercise can make you feel you can manage the post-natal stage more easily. David suggests simple exercises such as pelvic tilts, head and shoulder raises and simple push-ups to strengthen the major muscle groups affected by the delivery.

As mums regain their routine, exercise is an important part of self-care and Dr Oscar Serrallach, author of The Postnatal Depletion Cure, says it’s vital to recovery. He believes too much exercise can lead to further depletion but low-impact exercise, including stretching and focusing on posture, can restore energy, improve sleep and kick-start your libido. Tiffiny Hall, who runs online health and fitness training program TIFFXO, believes new mums should exercise with a friend to keep them motivated and prepare their exercise gear the night before so they’re ready.

‘I’M NOT HAVING ANY MORE CHILDREN. DAX HAD HIS TUBES TIED. I HAD TWO BORDERLINE AUTOPSIES TO HAVE OUR CHILDREN. SO, I SAID, “THIS ONE’S ON YOU.”’ Kristen Bell, actor and mother of two.