Benefits of Prenatal Exercise
Exercise during pregnancy benefits you and your baby:- Increases energy
- Relieves constipation, leg cramps, bloating and swelling
- Promotes muscle tone and improved posture
- Helps manage pregnancy-induced diabetes
- Improves sleep and relaxation
Consult your physician
Before you begin an exercise routine, you should consult your physician. It's possible that certain health conditions could keep you from exercising during pregnancy.
Exercise safely
Once you've received approval from your physician to exercise during pregnancy, it's important to choose a program that's safe. Consider the following:- Pregnancy hormones make your ligaments prone to injury
- As your belly grows, your center of gravity will shift
- The weight you gain during pregnancy makes your heart work harder
Do's and don'ts
Do:- Start slow with walking, swimming or cycling
- Wear supportive shoes and sports bra
- Drink plenty of water
- Stretch before working out
- Cool down for 5 to 10 minutes after working out
- Work out consistently to maintain fitness
- Don’t exercise to lose weight
- Don’t exercise outside when it’s hot or humid
- Avoid deep knee bends, full sit-ups, double leg lifts and straight leg toe touches
- Avoid exercises that require you to lay on your back
Warning signs
Stop exercising if you experience any of the following symptoms:- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Uneven or rapid heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Trouble walking due to calf pain
- Headache
- Vaginal bleeding
- Contractions that continue after rest
- Fluid coming from the vagina
- Decreased fetal movement
Updated December 29, 2017