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Exercise and Pregnancy

| June 9, 2014 Comment

Exercise and Pregnancy – A healthy pregnancy is just as dependent on exercise as it is on diet. Check out this video to learn more on the basics of exercise and pregnancy.

Expert: Catherine Goodstein, M.D. NYU School of Medicine, Obstetrics & Surgery; OB-GYN

Transcript

Whether you’re in week one or week forty, your pregnancy will usually be healthier, happier and shorter on symptoms if you make exercise a part of your daily routine.

Women with normal pregnancies should try to exercise at a moderate rate for thirty minutes or more each day. To do it safely, here are some tips. Before you get ready to work-out, you need to get the okay from your doctor. He or she will discuss an exercise program with you, and talk about which work-outs are best.

If you’re new to exercise, you’ll want to begin slowly. If you’re an old pro, you still need to take precautions to keep your baby safe, and that may mean slowing down a bit.

When you’re exercising for two, it’s important to have a light snack and a glass of fluid before beginning your work-out. Wear comfy, breathable clothing and a good, well-fitted sports bra. Of course, before you get moving, it helps to know what type of exercise you’ll be doing. The main rule is to pick something that you find FUN! This will help ensure that you keep up with your fitness, even when you’d rather loll on the couch.

You’ll also want to avoid certain activities that may not be safe for your baby. Off-limit exercises include scuba diving, gymnastics, downhill skiing, ice skating, horseback riding, hockey, soccer, and basketball.

Many pregnant women find swimming or water aerobics to be an especially helpful exercise while pregnant. Working out in the water is gentle on the joints and provides little risk of overheating. Others find a prenatal yoga or pilates class to be beneficial, too. These low-impact disciplines both encourage relaxation and attention to breathing: perfect for moms-to-be.

As your pregnancy progresses, you’ll need to change your exercise routine, and that’s healthy. Because your sense of balance will shift as your body grows, you may need to ease off as you get closer to your due date.

It’s important to remember that moderation is key. “No pain, no gain,” does NOT apply in this case! Here’s how to tell if your work-out is, well, too much work. During a cardio workout, you should feel yourself breathing heavily, but should never be unable to talk or sing. Try to limit the cardiovascular portion of your work-out to 40 minutes or less.

If you’re strength training by lifting weights, or doing flexibility exercises, like yoga, you should stop immediately if you feel pain or strain. And avoid exercises where you are lying flat on your back for prolonged periods.

When you’re exercising…and pregnant…you need to remember that the usual rules don’t apply. You’re not trying to lose or maintain weight, you’re trying to gain it (albeit, at a healthy level.)

Exercise is not only healthy for you, it eases pregnancy symptoms and encourages a healthy baby. Talk to your doctor about the weight gain and exercise options that are best for you and your impending arrival.

Last Modified: 2013-04-11

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Category: Fitness, Videos

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