Exercise While Pregnant

[cutebaby]

Is it good to have exercise while a mother is pregnant? If so, what are the exercises that are allowed to protect the baby inside the womb as well as the mother who is carrying the baby?

[Tj'sMom]

I was told I could exercise as much as I usually did, just to cut back if I started to get too tired, or clumsy, or if my belly started to get in the way. When I had a midwife she told me it was important to walk every day.

[kkk3]

I was encouraged to exercise in moderation while I was pregnant. I was told it would help my body and also the baby. I did mostly walking and stretches (not too much though).

[BeFit-Mom]

The benefits of of regular, moderate level exercise during pregnancy are truely outstanding, both for mom and her developing baby.

Fit moms have fewer pregnancy complications and discomforts, easier labors, gain less weight, and bounce back quickly after childbirth. Exercise strengthens your immune system which you then pass on to your baby during breast feeding.

Babies born to fit moms have stronger cardiovascular systems, and are leaner at birth. Intriguing new studies show that aerobic exercise during prenancy increases the baby's development of the frontal cortex, the "thinking brain," so exercise during pregnancy can even make your baby smarter!

Maternal health is tired with fetal health. The healthier you are, the healthier that you baby will be!

[Leah]

My lamaze instructor as you would probably guess made sure we exercised as a part of the seesion we had each week. She also showed us how to do it at home without causing ourselves harm.

[LoveMaGirl]

The thing that people often forget is that the process of childbirth involves the use of muscles, and like any muscles if they are not used they get weaker and labour will be harder. By being fit you have a better stamina and so are likely to cope better with child birth. I was always told to not exercise any more than you did before pregnancy, ie it would be unwise to start something new but that continuing what you are used to is perfect.

[cdavid]

I think small exercise is good when it comes to the last few months of pregnancy, and something that will keep the blood moving after the baby arrives, but nothing too strenuous.

[chubbycheeks]

Exercize is a wonderful thing at any time in your life. I believe that the body will tell you when to slow down. Stretching is also wonderful when you are pregnant. It is excellent on the muscles and not too hard on the body.

[Urbanmom]

Exercise is wonderful while pregnant, as all the other ladies have said. My only advice would be to not do anything requiring good balance in the later months. You're going to be amazed at how your center of balance gets thrown off. I'm not the most coordinated at the best of times, I think if I tried step aerobics, for example, in my third trimester, I would have toppled in about 3 seconds!!!

[cutebaby]

Thank you moms for your input about exercise! Now that we know that exercise is good for the mommy and the baby, what are the exercises that are good at what stages? Light jogging might be good on the first months or so. What are your suggestions on the proper way of exercise when pregnant?