About Pregnancy: Exercise And Your Baby

By Barbara P Manter

Just a few years ago, telling a woman that she can and should exercise while pregnant would have been met with weird looks and laughter. However, we now know that exercising during pregnancy is not only extremely beneficial to the mother, but to the baby's long-term health, as well.

Now most people are aware that exercising is beneficial to both mother and child during pregnancy. Not only do core exercises help women regain their original shape quicker, they also have statistically shorter labors with greater outcomes. So, the idea that working your core during pregnancy is harmful to the fetus has turned out to be a myth.

Another myth is that there is a specific heart rate that women should not exceed while exercising. In reality, each woman should talk to her doctor, and learn to listen to her body. You want to exercise at whatever pace is comfortable to you; just be careful not to over-exert yourself to the point of exhaustion.

Most importantly, keep your doctor informed of any decision you make about your body during pregnancy. If you plan on trying to lose weight by continuing an already established exercise regimen or by eating cleaner, let your doctor know so that he or she can take that into account on your check-ups. They may have you drop your intensity sometime in the third trimester depending on baby weight or position.

Another factor to keep in mind is body temperature. Remember that your baby is unable to regulate its own body temperature. Therefore, you want to be sure that you have proper warm up and cool down time to help regulate your baby's temperature, as well as your own.

While more and more mothers are running right up to the day of their labor, one type of exercise that you should keep to a minimum is stretching and flexibility. Due to an increase of a hormone called relaxin, which lubricates your joints, you will have an increased range of motion. The increased range of motion may lead to an increased risk of injury, so be cautious here.

Another area of caution is any exercise involving balance. This would include things like biking and roller-blades, as well as contact sports, for obvious reasons. You want to avoid these types of exercises while you are pregnant. While they may not hurt you, they are hazards for your unborn child.

Therefore, while there are still some myths surrounding pregnancy and exercise, the fact is that exercise is beneficial to baby and mother alike. Just remember to use common sense, listen to your body, and keep your doctor informed. - 33375

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