Exercise Encouraged During Pregnancy

Research shows that exercising during pregnancy can help women lose baby weight quicker and have shorter, less painful labors. Kate Kelly, Managing Editor for American Baby Magazine, explains.

Barring any medical conditions, the saying "rest is best" no longer applies to pregnancy. "The experts are saying now that actually you and your baby will be better off if you hit the treadmill or take a walk or do something to get your heart rate moving every day," says Kelly. "Ideally you should shoot for 30 minutes [of activity]."

By staying active, you'll boost your energy and confidence. Exercise releases endorphins (the "feel good" chemicals in your body). "You're so much moodier [during pregnancy], you need those endorphins even more," says Kelly. Plus, building up a sweat feels good. It's a great stress reliever as well.

In fact, if you were athletic before you got pregnant, you can usually continue your regular exercise routine throughout your pregnancy. Runners can continue running, and those who practice yoga can still go to class. In fact, many gyms now offer prenatal exercise classes to cater to moms-to-be. Swimming is usually a big hit because your large belly feels weightless in the water.

Certain abdominal and back stretches are not advised during pregnancy, though, so be sure to check with your doctor and inform the class instructor that you are expecting. Try to avoid high impact activities like horseback riding or water skiing as well.

There are some great advantages to exercise. Staying active can help you lose baby weight faster after delivery and acts as a great motivator. "You'll just stay more motivated to be healthy and follow health habits if you're exercising," says Kelly. Your risk of gestational diabetes will be lower, too. Plus, it's good for your baby's fetal heart rate.

It can also keep Junior from growing too big inside you, which makes labor and delivery easier. "Labor is a marathon, and you would never go to a marathon without any training, so you should train for this," says Kelly. "Get your stamina up and get your confidence up and everything will go easier." That's news any mother-to-be wants to hear.

For more information on exercise during pregnancy, as well as additional parenting advice, click here to visit www.AmericanBaby.com.

By Erin Petrun