One simple step for a healthier pregnancy... and how mums-to-be can get free help

[Manchester Evening News]

Pregnant women are being urged to keep fit by Manchester experts who say
exercise can lead to a healthier birth.

A new university project is giving expectant mums in [Moss
Side](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/moss-side) ,
[Hulme](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/hulme) and
[Rusholme](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/rusholme) the
chance to boost their fitness with free yoga and pilates classes.

A team of midwives and psychologists from Manchester University are behind the
research project.

Their aim is to help women make a positive difference to their lives before
and after they give birth.

Staying active during pregnancy improves the health of mums and babies, and
reduces the chances of needing a caesarean section, researchers say.

Claire Lyon, a research midwife leading the project, said: "We know that being
active is good for mum and baby - delivering oxygen and nutrients around the
body.

"It helps to keep mum fit and avoid excessive weight gain during pregnancy
while reducing anxiety, and releasing endorphins, the 'happy hormone'.

"We also know that women who do not stay active during their pregnancy are 4.5
times more likely to have a caesarean section, so making even a few small
changes can make a big difference."

![](http://i2.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article11019206.ece/ALTERNA
TES/s615b/JS84698866.jpg) Free swimming classes are being offered by
Manchester University

The EU-funded Together Project will run for six months with other activities
including aqua-natal classes and cooking demonstrations.

Psychologists say even though pregnancy is a period physical and psychological
transition, it's still a good time to encourage a positive change in
lifestyle.

Claire added: "New mums are thinking very hard about their health at this time
but it's often hard to find out which activities they prefer or learn about
changes they can make. "That's why we're trying out these pilot activities, so
that women can see what they like and make the changes which will work best
for them."

The first activity will be free swimming for pregnant women and new mums at
Moss Side Leisure Centre.

### Manchester families

[ ![](http://i1.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article11194708.ece/ALTER
NATES/s225/JS87502981.jpg) Cancer mum's moving surrogacy plea
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/im-
asking-mum-surrogate-mother-11193975) [ ![](http://i1.manchestereveningnews.co
.uk/incoming/article11195317.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/IDShot_540x540.jpg)
Children's yoghurt in plastic alert
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/muller-
kids-corner-butterflies-recall-11195278) [ ![](http://i1.manchestereveningnews
.co.uk/incoming/article11188400.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/JS87177473.jpg) The
wedding day 'baby carriage' ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news
/greater-manchester-news/wedding-entrepreneurs-invent-baby-carriages-11188034)
[ ![](http://i4.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article11179122.ece/ALTER
NATES/s225/JS87281772.jpg) Mun gives birth on bathroom floor
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/mum-
delivers-baby-bathroom-floor-11178872) [ ![](http://i3.manchestereveningnews.c
o.uk/incoming/article11186162.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/Cruz.jpg) Watch: Adorable
video of Cruz Beckham ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-
news/cruz-beckham-justin-bieber-singing-11186152) [ ![](http://i1.manchesterev
eningnews.co.uk/incoming/article10790384.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/JS76744285.jpg)
Visitor numbers soar at science museum
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/mosi-visitor-
numbers-manchester-museum-11174832) [ ![](http://i2.manchestereveningnews.co.u
k/incoming/article11171644.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/JS67748704.jpg) Pilot aborts
flight over dying child ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-
manchester-news/etihad-plane-passengers-dying-grandson-11171428) [ ![](http://
i1.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article11171307.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/JS
87125690.jpg) Children 'put in cupboard as punishment'
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news
/investigation-after-schoolchildren-allegedly-put-11170123) [ ![](http://i4.ma
nchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article8754754.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/JS577770
54.jpg) Four easy bike rides for spring
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/four-easy-
bike-rides-you-11161750) [ ![](http://i2.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/
article11158868.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/CBeebiespicJPG.jpg) Take our CBeebies
quiz... ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news
/you-know-your-pontipines-your-11159155) [ ![](http://i4.manchestereveningnews
.co.uk/incoming/article6187961.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/Clangers-key-art.jpg) The
festival starring My Little Pony! ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
/whats-on/family-kids-news/geronimo-family-festival-tatton-park-11156176) [ ![
](http://i3.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article11155328.ece/ALTERNATE
S/s225/JS86793303.jpg) Manchester's awesome new trampoline park
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/go-air-
trampoline-park-manchester-11155236)

1 of 12

The sessions will run every Wednesday from April 20 until August 21.

Women need to register for a free swimming card from Martenscroft Children's
Centre.

There will also be a free four-week pilates course for new mums starting on
April 22 between 1pm - 2pm at Martenscroft Children's Centre.

Women need to need to register at reception.

Any pregnant woman or mother of a baby aged one year or less can take part in
the programme.

### Moss Side, Hulme and Rusholme

[ ![](http://i3.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article11082851.ece/ALTER
NATES/s225/JS85682473.jpg) Friends of stabbing victim Ahmed Moh...
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/friends-
stabbing-victim-ahmed-mohammed-11103646) [ ![](http://i3.manchestereveningnews
.co.uk/incoming/article11146373.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/JS79263327.jpg) Moss Side
house prices have risen at...
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/property/moss-side-house-
prices-risen-11143944) [ ![](http://i4.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/ar
ticle11023023.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/freeway-comp.jpg) Revealed: How 1960s
planners wanted ... ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-
manchester-news/manchester-raised-freeways-plans-1960s-11022853) [ ![](http://
i4.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article11160507.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/ru
sholme-2.jpg) Man left fighting for life after cat...
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/man-
left-fighting-life-after-11161388) [ ![](http://i1.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
/incoming/article11154718.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/suburb-restaurants.jpg)
Revealed: The restaurants across Cho...
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news
/manchester-restaurants-failed-hygiene-standards-11153927) [ ![](http://i1.man
chestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article11110885.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/JS861010
91.jpg) Mancunians light candles to remember...
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news
/mancunians-light-candles-remember-72-11110719) [ ![](http://i1.manchestereven
ingnews.co.uk/incoming/article11076306.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/JS85030610.jpg)
'University prowler' convicted of se...
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news
/university-prowler-convicted-sex-assaults-11088442) [ ![](http://i2.mancheste
reveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article11040142.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/JS85023144.jpg
) Student slams 'drugs and filthy cond...
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/birley-
campus-drugs-filthy-mmu-11040086)

1 of 8