General Information--Muscular & Skeletal System
You may experience increased joint laxity due to the hormone relaxin which is released into the body to allow your
uterus to expand as the baby grows. However, this hormone does not act specifically
on the uterus, but on all connective tissues throughout the body, such as
ligaments and tendons, which surround and support the joints.
Results:
Exercise helps to strengthen tendons and ligaments, but may also increase
injury potential from stress to the joints if the exerciser does not protect
the joints by doing exercises correctly. Pain may also occur in the sacroiliac and pelvic joints.
Stretching and thinning of the abdominal wall occurs, often contributing
to low back pain and discomfort.
Results:
Exercise helps minimize postural changes and low back pain.
The center of gravity shifts forward and the pelvis also rotates forward.
Results:
Exercise may help minimize postural changes by increasing muscle tone in
all muscle groups throughout the body.
Coordination and the feeling of "knowing where your body parts
are" are altered.
Results:
Coordination may be impaired during exercise, requiring some activities
to be modified to avoid injury or discomfort.
The round ligaments extend outward from the uterus on either side of
the walls of the pelvis. As the uterus enlarges, more strain is exerted
on these ligaments.
Results:
With vigorous activity, you may feel a pain or "stitch" that runs
from the lower abdomen into the groin or upper thigh. Pelvic tilting on
hands and knees allows the uterus to relax forward out of the pelvis and
the ligaments to relax. This should relieve the stitch immediately.
The uterosacral ligaments extend backward from the cervix
to the sacrum. If they are stretched suddenly, short, sharp pains in the
lower back result.
Results:
Pelvic tilts and tightening of the abdominal muscles will help to relieve
this discomfort.
The tendency toward blood clotting increases during pregnancy as does
the tendency to develop varicose veins. Varicose
veins, though somewhat hereditary, also result from the relaxation of the
blood vessel walls with hormonal changes and from the pressure of the uterus
on the inferior vena cava, possibly interfering
with optimal return blood flow to the heart.
Results:
Regular exercise assists blood flow in the legs and feet and helps prevent
or minimize these problems.
The constant pressure on the pelvic floor during pregnancy can cause
it to become weakened and even injured. This may lead to ineffective support
of the pelvic organs. 