BSc (Exercise Science)
Sarah Pearce is a sportsperson and a fitness trainer. She has her fitness center, The Fitness Studio, in Hastings, New Zealand. She majored in health promotion and fitness management and received a bachelor’s degree in health and exercise science fromRowan University. Sarah played 32 lacrosse games in her career.
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A birthing ball is a fitness ball that women can use for performing prenatal exercises. Regular use of a birthing ball is also considered a labor prep exercise that can smoothen the birthing process and improve the chances of vaginal delivery. In this post, we tell you the benefits of doing birthing ball exercises during pregnancy. You should use a birthing ball under expert guidance. Read on as we tell you about the birthing ball you should buy, the ideal size you should use, the right time to start using a birthing ball during pregnancy, and tips on using a birthing ball safely during pregnancy. [mj-toc] What Is A Birthing Ball? A birthing ball, also known as a labor ball, is a big inflatable exercise ball made of rubber. It is a standard fitness ball that can be used by pregnant women for fitness during pregnancy and post pregnancy (1). Following a birthing ball routine is a safe and beneficial...
Kegel exercises are named after an American gynecologist, Dr. Arnold Kegel, who first invented them around 1948. He suggests that regular, non-surgical, targeted Kegel ball exercises during pregnancy help bolster your pelvic floor muscles and assist in uncomplicated labor and childbirth. They can also help with urinary incontinence and help you achieve bladder control, both of which are frequent problems during and after pregnancy (1). Read on to know more about kegel exercises, including their benefits, how they strengthen the pelvic floor, how to prepare for them, when you should do them, and some of the best kegel exercises to attempt while pregnant. [mj-toc]What Are Kegel Exercises? Kegel or pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegels, are simple clench and release exercises which strengthen pelvic floor muscles. The pelvis is the region between the hips, which holds the uterus, bladder, small intestine, and rectum. The series of tissues and muscles that form a hammock or a sling at the bottom...