EXERCISE FOR A HEALTHY PREGNANCY STAYING ACTIVE WHILE YOU’RE PREGNANT WILL HELP KEEP YOU AND YOUR BABY HEALTHY AND PREPARE YOUR BODY FOR THE DEMANDS OF LABOR.
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ongratulations! You’re pregnant! This is a time for you to pamper and take good care of yourself. While you need plenty of rest and time to put your feet up, you also need to stay fit. Studies show that exercise during pregnancy benefits both you and your baby. Before starting any exercise regimen, even if you were very active before your pregnancy, consult your doctor. There are conditions during pregnancy that can make exercise unsafe even for the biggest fitness guru. Once your doctor gives the okay, you can stay active in almost any way you like. Aerobics, light weight lifting, walking, noncontact sports (think tennis and golf), yoga, swimming and stretching are all potential activities. Swimming is particularly beneficial as it relieves the growing pressure on your
back and feet while allowing you to get a great cardiovascular workout. While almost any activity is safe during pregnancy, a few precautions should be taken. Be sure to avoid overheating, particularly if you work out in hot weather. Drink lots of water and take frequent breaks. Also, be careful of anything that requires balance because your center of gravity will be shifting. Avoid becoming too out of breath. A good test is whether you can carry on a light conversation while working out. If you’re breathless, slow down. Be sure to slow down or stop if something doesn’t feel right, and contact your doctor if necessary. Staying active will help relieve some common pregnancy aches and pains and prepare you for the hard work of labor. It also will help you bounce back to a healthy lifestyle after your baby is born.
5 WARNING SIGNS If you experience any of these symptoms while exercising, stop immediately and contact your doctor: 1 Abdominal pain or
contractions that don’t go away when you stop and drink water
2 Bleeding or having fluid
leak from your vagina
3 Sudden swelling in your
legs or ankles
4 Muscle weakness or
difficulty walking
5 Chest pain
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