Exercise throughout Pregnancy

Exercise throughout Pregnancy Is exercise during pregnancy harmful to me or my baby? As always, you will want to talk to your doctor to be sure that exercise during pregnancy will be safe for you. Exercise during pregnancy is safe for most women, but your doctor will know more about you and will be able to tell you if exercise is okay for you throughout your pregnancy. Also, your doctor will be able to tell you, what types of exercise will be best for you to do. Studies have not shown gentle exercise is harmful to either you or your baby, but studies haven’t shown that exercise benefits the baby either. Although this is true, exercise will help you feel better and maintain your weight throughout your pregnancy. What is the best way to begin an exercise routine during pregnancy? While exercise is safe for most women, you may have a medical problem that makes exercise during pregnancy out of the question for you, or you may have some limitations placed on your activity level, so check with your doctor before you begin any exercise program. This is especially true for women who have not been physically active prior to their pregnancy. If your doctor gives the okay, start exercising at an intensity that does not cause pain, shortness of breath, or make you overly tired. Then you can gradually increase your level of activity. If you had been exercising before your pregnancy, it will be easier for you to continue throughout. However, it is not uncommon for women to find that they need to take it easier while pregnant. If you haven’t been exercising before the pregnancy, you will need to take it very slowly, gradually increasing your intensity as it becomes more comfortable. What types of exercise are okay? You and your doctor will want to work together to decide what types of activity are best for you and your baby. However, the best exercises are ones that don’t put extra weight or strain on your body. Stationary cycling and swimming are good choices, and hey, pregnancy is one of the only times that you don’t have to worry about how you look in a swimsuit. Walking, low-impact aerobics, and some Yoga poses are usually okay for most women as well. What should I watch out for? Avoid contact sports or other activities that increase your chances of falling or becoming injured. Even slight injuries to the "tummy" area can be serious when you're pregnant. Once you reach the 3 month mark, you will want to stop exercising on your back to prevent the weight of the baby from blocking blood circulation. You will also want limit long periods of standing. During the hot months, be sure to exercise early in the morning or after the sun goes down so that you do not become overly heated. Even while exercising inside, make sure that the room is properly ventilated, with a fan if necessary to keep you cool, and remember to stay hydrated. Continue to drink water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Be sure to eat healthy, especially if you are incorporating exercise into your routine. Pregnancy increases your daily food requirements by 300 calories, even with no exercise. What problems should I tell my doctor about? Blood or fluid leaking from your vagina Sudden or severe abdominal or vaginal pain Contractions that go on for 30 minutes after you stop exercising Chest pain Shortness of breath Severe headaches that won’t go away Dizziness Dim or blurry vision