Although you may not feel like running a marathon, most women
benefit greatly from exercising throughout their pregnancies. But
during that time, you'll need to discuss your exercise plans
with your doctor or other health care provider early on and make a
few adjustments to your normal exercise routine. The level of
exercise recommended will depend, in part, on your level of
pre-pregnancy fitness.
Benefits of Exercising During Pregnancy
No doubt about it, exercise is a big plus for both you and your
baby (if complications don't limit your ability to exercise
throughout your pregnancy). It can help you:
-
feel better.
At a time when you wonder if this strange body can possibly be
yours, exercise can increase your sense of control and boost your
energy level. Not only does it make you feel better by releasing
endorphins (naturally occurring chemicals in your brain),
appropriate exercise can:
- relieve backaches and improve your posture by strengthening
and toning muscles in your back, butt, and thighs
- reduce constipation by accelerating movement in your
intestine
- prevent wear and tear on your joints (which become loosened
during pregnancy due to normal hormonal changes) by activating
the lubricating fluid in your joints
- help you sleep better by relieving the stress and anxiety
that might make you restless at night
-
look better.
Exercise increases the blood flow to your skin, giving you a
healthy glow.
-
prepare you and your body for birth.
Strong muscles and a fit heart can greatly ease labor and
delivery. Gaining control over your breathing can help you manage
pain. And in the event of a lengthy labor, increased endurance
can be a real help.
-
regain your pre-pregnancy body more quickly.
You'll gain less fat weight during your pregnancy if you
continue to exercise (assuming you exercised before becoming
pregnant). But don't expect or try to lose weight by
exercising while you're pregnant. For most women, the goal is
to maintain their fitness level throughout pregnancy.
While the jury's still out on the additional benefits of
exercise during pregnancy, some studies have shown that exercise
may even lower a woman's risk of complications, like
preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.
What's a Safe Exercise Plan During Pregnancy?
It depends on when you start and whether your pregnancy is
complicated. If you exercised regularly before becoming pregnant,
continue your program, with modifications as you need them.
If you weren't fit before you became pregnant, don't
give up! Begin slowly and build gradually as you become stronger.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends at
least 150 minutes (that's 2 hours and 30 minutes) of
moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week for healthy women who
are not already highly active or doing vigorous-intensity activity.
If you're healthy, the risks of moderate-intensity activity
during pregnancy are very low, and do not increase risk of low
birth weight, preterm delivery, or early pregnancy loss.
Before you continue your old exercise routine or begin a new
one, you should talk to your doctor about exercising while
you're pregnant. Discuss any concerns you may have.
You may need to limit your exercise if you have:
- pregnancy-induced
high blood pressure
- early contractions
- vaginal bleeding
- premature rupture of your membranes, also known as your water
(the fluid in the amniotic sac around the fetus) breaking
early
Exercises to Try
That depends on what interests you and what your doctor advises.
Many women enjoy dancing, swimming, water aerobics, yoga, Pilates,
biking, or walking. Swimming is especially appealing, as it gives
you welcome buoyancy (floatability or the feeling of
weightlessness). Try for a combination of cardio (aerobic),
strength, and flexibility exercises, and avoid bouncing.
Many experts recommend walking. It's easy to vary the pace,
add hills, and add distance. If you're just starting, begin
with a moderately brisk pace for a mile, 3 days a week. Add a
couple of minutes every week, pick up the pace a bit, and
eventually add hills to your route. Whether you're a pro or a
novice, go slowly for the first 5 minutes to warm up and use the
last 5 minutes to cool down.
If you were a runner before you were pregnant, in many cases,
you can continue running during your pregnancy, although you may
have to modify your routine.
Whatever type of exercise you and your doctor decide on, the key
is to listen to your body's warnings. Many women, for example,
become dizzy early in their pregnancy, and as the baby grows, their
center of gravity changes. So it may be easy for you to lose your
balance, especially in the last trimester.
Your energy level may also vary greatly from day to day. And as
your baby grows and pushes up on your lungs, you'll notice a
decreased ability to breathe in more air (and the oxygen it
contains) when you exercise. If your body says, "Stop!" -
stop!
Your body is signaling that it's had enough if you feel:
- fatigue
- dizziness
- heart palpitations (your heart pounding in your chest)
- shortness of breath
- pain in your back or pelvis
And if you can't talk while you're exercising,
you're doing it too strenuously.
It also isn't good for your baby if you become overheated
because temperatures greater than 102.6º Fahrenheit (39º Celsius)
could cause problems with the developing fetus - especially in the
first trimester - which can potentially lead to birth defects. So
don't overdo exercise on hot days.
When the weather is hot, try to avoid exercising outside during
the hottest part of the day (from about 10 AM to 3 PM) or exercise
in an air-conditioned place. Also remember that swimming makes it
more difficult for you to notice your body heating up because the
water makes you feel cooler.
Exercises to Avoid
Most doctors recommend that pregnant women avoid exercises after
the first trimester that require them to lie flat on their
backs.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it's also wise to
avoid any activities that include:
- bouncing
- jarring (anything that would cause a lot of up and down
movement)
- leaping
- a sudden change of direction
- a risk of abdominal injury
Typical limitations include contact sports, downhill skiing,
scuba diving, and horseback riding because of the risk of injury
they pose.
Although some doctors say step aerobics workouts
are acceptable if you can lower the height of your step as
your pregnancy progresses, others caution that a changing center of
gravity makes falls much more likely. If you do choose to do
aerobics, just make sure to avoid becoming extremely winded or
exercising to the point of exhaustion.
And check with your doctor if you experience any of these
warning signs during any type of exercise:
- vaginal bleeding
- unusual pain
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- unusual shortness of breath
- racing heartbeat or chest pain
- fluid leaking from your vagina
- uterine contractions
Kegel Exercises
Although the effects of Kegel exercises can't be seen from
the outside, some women use them to reduce incontinence (the
leakage of urine) caused by the weight of the baby on their
bladder. Kegels help to strengthen the "pelvic floor
muscles" (the muscles that aid in controlling urination).
Kegels are easy, and you can do them any time you have a few
seconds - sitting in your car, at your desk, or standing in line at
the store. No one will even know you're doing them!
To find the correct muscles, pretend you're trying to stop
urinating. Squeeze those muscles for a few seconds, then relax.
You're using the correct muscles if you feel a pull. Or place a
finger inside your vagina and feel it tighten when you squeeze.
Your doctor can also help you identify the correct muscles.
A few things to keep in mind when you're doing Kegel
exercises:
- Don't tighten other muscles (stomach or legs, for
example) at the same time. You want to focus on the muscles
you're exercising.
- Don't hold your breath while you do them because it's
important that your body and muscles continue to receive oxygen
while you do any type of exercise.
- Don't regularly do Kegels by stopping and starting your
flow of urine while you're actually going to the bathroom, as
this can lead to incomplete emptying of your bladder, which
increases the risk of
urinary tract infections
.
Getting Started
Always talk to your doctor before beginning any exercise
program. Once you're ready to get going:
- Start gradually. Even 5 minutes a day is a good start if
you've been inactive. Add 5 minutes each week until you reach
30 minutes.
- Dress comfortably in loose-fitting clothes and wear a
supportive bra to protect your breasts.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid overheating and
dehydration.
- Skip your exercises if you're sick.
- Opt for a walk in an air-conditioned mall on hot, humid
days.
- Above all, listen to your body.
Reviewed by:
Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date reviewed: October 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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