BabyFit Sponsors help keep the site free!

 

Featured Article
Eating Protein Without the Meat
Eating Protein Without the Meat
Getting enough protein can be a struggle for women who don't eat meat. What are some of the alternatives to include in your own healthy diet? Coach Joe tells us what we should know! 

MessageBoard Hot Topics
Top Searches
Featured Recipe

Black Thai Pork

Recipe courtesy of National Pork Board. For more recipes and ideas, please check out www.TheOtherWhiteMeat.com

 

Exercising For Two

How it Benefits Mom & Baby
-- By Becky Hand, Licensed and Registered Dietician

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.

Page 1 of 2Next Page  

Member Comments About this Article
"You will find lots of helpful information about exercising during pregnancy in our Pregnancy Fitness section of the site." -- TANYA_BABYFIT
"How many times a week should a person exercise while a person is pregnant? When can a person start thier exercise. Thank you!" -- DESIREERILEY777
"In 1994, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) lifted the restriction on intensity and duration for exercise because there was no evidence that a heart rate greater than 140 beats per minute caused harmful effects for the baby. Read Pace (Don't Race) Your Heart for more information." -- SAMANTHABABYFIT
Report Inappropriate Comment




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.
Becky Hand

 


Sponsors help keep BabyFit free!
SparkPeople
Visit SparkPeople for Free Online Diet Plan
Tell your company about SparkPeople Corporate Wellness

BabyFit, BabyPoints, BabyPages and other marks are trademarks of SparkPeople, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
BABYFIT is a registered trademark of SparkPeople, Inc. in the United States, European Union, Canada, and Australia. All rights reserved.

The Everyday Health Pregnancy and Parenting Network