Exercising While Pregnant

Pregnancy and exercise are not mutually exclusive.  Yes, pregnancy does require some lifestyle changes as the pregnancy gets farther along like not sleeping on your back, but being pregnant does not relegate you to invalid status.

Exercise and pregnancy go hand in hand. The benefits of exercise during pregnancy are significant.

• Reduced constipation
• Better sleep
• Helps to keep weight gain at appropriate levels
• Increased strength and endurance
• Reduced risk of gestational diabetes
• Reduced risk of high blood pressure
• Helping baby settle into a good position for birth
• More energy
• Stress reduction
• Improved mood

Pregnancy is a perfect time to start exercising regularly if you haven't been working out.  Walking is a great place to start, although you can start with just about anything like having a dance party with your kids, or raking leaves.  Build up gradually until you are working out for at least 30 minutes 5-6 days a week.  If you are already working out, you may want to modify what you do.  For example, if you are doing heavy weight lifting, consider using lighter weights and more reps.  Be mindful of avoiding exercise that puts you at risk of falling such as mountain climbing, or contact sports such as hockey.  Also modify abdominal exercises to reduce the chances of diastasis recti.  

I encourage all the clients I serve to exercise because the benefits are too great to miss out on. Labor and birth require strength and endurance. Regular exercise will go a long way to help with being prepared for the demands of labor and birth. 
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