Exercising For Two

Exercise during pregnancy is important. It has many benefits for mom and baby. Exercise can:

• Improve muscle tone and cardiovascular fitness
• Lead to a better appearance and posture
• Lessen some of the discomforts of pregnancy
• Strengthen the muscles needed for labor and delivery
• Make you feel good, too

The exercises you can do during pregnancy depend on your health and how active you were before you became pregnant. If you were not active before pregnancy, this is not the time to start an extremely strenuous exercise program. However, swimming, walking, or prenatal exercise classes are great places to get started. If you exercised before pregnancy, there is no reason you cannot continue, within reason.

Before you begin any exercise program, discuss it with your healthcare provider. The two of you together can plan an exercise program that is consistent with your current level of fitness and health conditions. If you experience any problems, such as bleeding, premature labor, dizziness, severe abdominal pain, or feeling unusually tired, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Once you get the okay to exercise, here are some tips to follow:

• Be sure to warm up before exercise and cool down afterwards.
• Begin exercising gradually. Do not overdo it. You don't want to become breathless or exhausted. In the proper range, you should be able to carry on a conversation with someone next to you. If you can sing, you may not be exercising intensely enough, but if you are too winded to speak, then slow down. Discuss your exercise intensity and get a recommendation from you healthcare provider beforehand.
  

About The Author

Becky Hand Becky is a registered and licensed dietitian with almost 20 years of experience. She teaches prenatal classes and counsels individuals, helping women eat right and stay fit before, during and after their pregnancies.