Work Out While Pregnant

Exercise During Pregnancy Benefits Fetus

Apr 20, 2009 Karen Sheviak

A new U.S. study has found that exercising during pregnancy not only benefits the mom-to-be but also the unborn baby.

Everyone knows that exercise can improve their health, and even pregnant women can benefit from moderate exercise, but the benefits may extend to the unborn baby, too. In a new study, researchers investigated pregnant women aged 25 to 35 and divided them into two groups: one got 30 minutes of moderate exercise three times per week and the other did not.

The study, from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and the University of Kansas Medical Center, found that fetuses whose mothers exercised had lower heart rates and increased breathing movements. These movements help prepare babies to breathe on their own after birth, so having a mother-to-be who exercises may make newborns better able to breathe.

If you're pregnant and thinking about starting an exercise program, or wondering if you should keep working out, arm yourself with reliable information. Here are a few things to consider.

Exercise, of course, benefits you. You can reduce the risk of getting constipation, sleep better, get into shape for the birth, and be able to return to working out more quickly after your baby is born.

Talk to your doctor or midwife first, and with her OK, start gradually. If you've been walking or running in the past, going at the same or slightly easier pace is a good way to begin. If you're starting a new regime, go short distances at a moderate pace and increase both gradually, only when it feels right to you.

Swimming is an excellent choice because it feels so good. The feeling of buoyancy can be a relief during pregnancy, when you're carrying extra weight and may have back pain. It's also a good choice on hot days. Exercising then can be dangerous, especially during the first trimester, when becoming overheated can cause birth defects. Swimming is a great way to get in a gentle workout while staying cool.

Yoga is another popular activity during pregnancy. It can not only reduce stress but also strengthen your core muscles and help you focus on your breathing, which again will help you during labor. Once you're past your first trimester, avoid any yoga postures that require you to lay flat on your back; this can cause dizziness.

Finally, listen to your body. If you feel pain anywhere or have difficulty breathing, stop immediately. Pregnancy is not the time to push your body to its athletic limits. By choosing an activity you like, whether it's walking, swimming or yoga, taking it easy and working out consistently, you will improve the health of both you and your baby.

The copyright of the article Work Out While Pregnant in Pregnancy & Childbirth is owned by Karen Sheviak. Permission to republish Work Out While Pregnant in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Exercising While Pregnant Benefits Both of You