Pregnancy Fitness Exercise Guidelines

A regular pregnancy fitness exercise program during pregnancy is important to help expectant moms be at their best health - physically, emotionally and mentally. Moreover, pregnancy fitness exercises can reduce some of the common aches and discomforts during pregnancy including fatigue and back pain.

The ideal pregnancy fitness exercise routine is mild to moderate level of exercise at least thrice a week. If you exercised regularly prior to becoming pregnant, you should be fit to continue exercising but in moderation. Do not attempt to work out at your former pace and intensity. On the other hand, if you were not physically active before, you can still start a pregnancy fitness exercise program with the approval of your doctor. Do not start your routine with vigorous activity but instead keep the intensity low and then gradually progress to higher-intensity exercises.

In general, exercise during pregnancy is safe. Nevertheless, all pregnant women should check with their doctor to make sure their chosen exercise program will create any risks to their pregnancy. There are instance where exercise is not advisable such as when the expectant mother has a medical condition like heart disease or asthma or if she has certain pregnancy problems such as vaginal bleeding, risks of miscarriage, or a weak cervix. Your doctor will evaluate your medical history and give you the best advice about staying fit during pregnancy.

With the go-ahead of your doctor, you should be able to perform many forms of pregnancy fitness exercise. Just remember to exercise with care and do not exhaust yourself. The most-recommended activities to consider in your pregnancy fitness exercise program are brisk walking, swimming, riding a stationary bike, low-impact aerobics, stretching exercise, yoga and Pilates exercises for pregnant women. These are the safest exercises to perform during pregnancy because of very minimal risks of injury so you can continue with them until childbirth.

When exercising, it is important for you to stay cool so wear loose and breathable clothing. Drink water before and while exercising as well as after workout. Choose clothes that give your body proper support as well as shoes that are appropriate for the activity you will do to prevent injuries. You should be getting 300 extra calories from your diet to have the energy you need during pregnancy and when you exercise. As mentioned above, you should never exercise to the point where you feel exhausted. Moderate exercise means you are able to have a normal conversation while exercising.

Listen to your body. If you feel any pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, or irregular heart beat or if you experience vaginal bleeding, stop exercising immediately and contact your doctor.