Exercise During Pregnancy

Regular moderate exercise during pregnancy can be beneficial in a number of ways. Assuming you stay within safe limitations, exericse during pregnancy can help prepare your body for childbirth by strengthening muscles, improving or maintaining endurance and preparing the body for the demands of labour and delivery. Staying active allows for weight loss after pregnancy to be a much smoother process as well.

Although it’s usually considered safe to continue with your usual exercise routine during pregnancy, it is of course advisable to check with your Doctor or midwife to be sure. Some activities such as running and weight training may need to be modified as the pregnancy progresses. You also may want to avoid activities that put you at risk of falling, such as rollerblading, skiing or horseback riding in the later months.

It’s always important to listen to your body when working out and it’s especially crucial to do so during pregnancy. If you feel uncomfortable or experience pain, naseau or dizziness at any time during your workout, stop and rest. Drink plenty of water before, during and after the workout and don’t allow yourself to become overheated. Dress comfortably in loose fitting clothing and always wear proper fitting, supportive, appropriate shoes.

Use the talk test to monitor your intensity level. You should be working at a level that allows you to carry on a conversation. If you are able to sing, you aren’t working hard enough, but if you can’t speak in full sentences, you need to back off a little.

Always perform a proper warm up in order to get the body prepared for the demands of the workout and end with a cool down to gradually bring the heart rate back down.

If you follow these simple guidelines you should be able to carry on with your regular exercise routine, assuming you are not experiencing complications and you have the go ahead from your Doctor or midwife.

About Shauna
	Shauna is a personal trainer, nutrition consultant and health and fitness writer for Workoutbox.com. She is also the creator of the "Soccer Mom weight loss program". Read more

Related posts

1. Exercise Addiction. When too much is not enough.