Keeping active

Take a walk

Around 150 minutes (two-and-a-half hours) of walking a week makes it easier to get back to your normal weight after your baby is born. It can also:

  • give you more energy
  • help you sleep better
  • reduce stress, anxiety and depression before and after your baby is born
  • make you stronger, so you can carry the weight of your baby
  • prepare your body for labour and reduce the risk of complications.

You don't need to do your 150 minutes all in one go, every 10 minutes counts, so it's easy to build walking into your daily routine. Maybe you can resist jumping into a car when you're heading to work, a friend's house or just round to the corner shop? Try getting off the bus one stop early, using the stairs rather than the lift, and delivering messages to work colleagues in person rather than by phone or email. Or why not offer to walk your neighbour's dog?

If you fancy a change, try swimming, aquanatal classes, yoga and dancing. Swimming and aquanatal classes are particularly good because the water will support your increased weight.