Exercise and Pregnancy: A Healthy Combination
by
Cynthia M. Johnson, MA
How it HelpsWorking out during this time can help with:
What to Focus onThe best exercises are ones that do not put stress on the joints, use smooth motions, and have a low risk of falling or body contact. Good choices are swimming, walking, stationary biking, and elliptical machines. Things to Limit or AvoidSome activities should be limited or avoided, such as:
How Long and How Often to WorkoutExercising for 30 minutes a day on most days of the week is all that is needed to stay fit. Women who want to workout longer should talk to their doctors first. Working out for 10 minutes at a time is also fine. Short bursts of activity can count toward your overall goal. Other Things to Think About
If you were not active before pregnancy, do not worry. You can slowly work up to 30 minutes a day. This is not the time to make big gains in your fitness level or compete at a high level. Athletes who want to keep a more strenuous exercise schedule should do so only after talking to their doctors. Before You StartTalk to your doctor before starting a program and be sure to go to all appointments. If you have any of these problems, then stop exercising right away and call your doctor:
It is smart to be more careful during pregnancy, but there are still a wide range of things you can do if your doctor says it is okay. Working out during this time is probably the best way to get ready for the demands of motherhood. After Baby ArrivesWorking out can also be helpful after your baby has been born. It can boost your mood and help you return to your normal weight faster. RESOURCES:American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.org National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
http://www.niddk.nih.gov CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology
http://www.csep.ca The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
http://www.sogc.org References:Activities to avoid during pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at: https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/activities-to-avoid-during-pregnancy-1144. Accessed June 24, 2021.
Exercise after pregnancy. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website.
Available at: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/exercise-after-pregnancy. Accessed June 24, 2021.
Exercise during pregnancy. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website.
Available at: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/exercise-during-pregnancy. Accessed June 24, 2021.
Healthy pregnant or postpartum women. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pregnancy. Accessed June 24, 2021.
Pregnancy nutrition. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at: https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/pregnancy-nutrition-1008. Accessed June 24, 2021.
Last reviewed June 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board
Last Updated: 6/24/2021 |
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