Preeclampsia Knocked Out By A Stretch

During pregnancy, while your stomach is on the rise, sometimes so is your blood pressure. High blood pressure associated with pregnancy is a condition known as preeclampsia. Unfortunately, pregnancy-induced hypertension affects up to 8 of the walkers had developed preeclampsia while only 5% of the stretchers did. Stretching with slow, non-aerobic muscle movements seemed to have a greater affect on these women versus walking.

The findings of this study could provide some better options for prenatal care that include different types of exercise plans based on the patient’s lifestyle, needs and abilities. For women with physical or health issues that might prevent an active exercise plan, stretching may be a better option for reducing the risk of preeclampsia.

While your health care provider can give you personal exercise guidelines based on your medical history, here are some stretching exercises from WebMD that might prove beneficial in not only reducing the risk for preeclampsia but also stress during pregnancy:
Neck rotation - Relax your neck and shoulders. Drop your head forward. Slowly rotate your head to your right shoulder, back to the middle and over the left shoulder. Complete four, slow rotations in each direction.

Shoulder rotation - Bring your shoulders forward and then rotate them up toward your ears and then back down. Do four rotations in each direction.

Swim - Place your arms at your sides. Bring your right arm up and extend your body forward and twist to the side, as if swimming the crawl stroke. Follow with left arm. Do the sequence ten times.

Thigh shift - Stand with one foot about two feet in front of the other, toes pointed in the same direction. Lean forward, supporting your weight on the forward thigh. Change sides and repeat. Do four on each side.

Leg shake - Sit with your legs and feet extended. Move the legs up and down in a gentle shaking motion.

Ankle rotation - Sit with your legs extended and keep your toes relaxed. Rotate your feet, making large circles. Use your whole foot and ankle. Rotate four times on the right and four times on the left.
This article was brought to you by Corner Stork Baby Gifts, an online retail company specializing in boutique-quality baby gifts and baby shower favors.

Karen Sullen is a staff writer for Corner Stork Baby Gifts located online at http://www.cornerstorkbabygifts.com offering baby gifts, baby shower favors, baby clothes, baby blankets and much more.