| Sure, you get to go out shopping for new exercise | | | | Yoga is another way to help you stay fit during |
| clothing, but exercising through your pregnancy is | | | | pregnancy. Yoga relieves stress and pressure in your |
| beneficial in a variety of other ways. It helps you | | | | body, and you can safely practice it at home with a |
| control your weight during pregnancy and makes it | | | | Yoga video for pregnant women. Avoid the more |
| easier to lose weight after your baby is born. It keeps | | | | rigorous exercises and those that must be done lying |
| your muscles toned and flexible, for shorter and easier | | | | flat on your back. In your second and third trimesters, |
| labor and delivery. You will also be less prone to suffer | | | | lying flat on your back decreases blood flow to your |
| from depression, constipation, back aches and | | | | womb, which is not good for you or your baby! |
| varicose veins. | | | | If you're already in the habit of running or jogging, you |
| Some forms of exercise or sports should be avoided | | | | may be able to continue doing it during your pregnancy. |
| by pregnant women. Swimming and water aerobics | | | | Just be sure to ask your doctor if it's safe for you. |
| provide great cardio workouts and tone your body, | | | | Walking is great exercise, too! It's easier on your joints |
| while the water supports your weight, virtually | | | | than running and jogging, but still gives you a good |
| eliminating stress to your joints. On the other hand, | | | | workout. With all three exercises, do warm-up |
| because water and snow skiing and horseback riding | | | | stretches, be sure to stay well-hydrated, don't allow |
| increase your risk of falling, you should avoid them. | | | | yourself to become overheated, and wear |
| Cycling and stair-climbing provide good cardio | | | | comfortable, slip-proof shoes that provide the foot |
| workouts, too, especially if you use a stationary bike | | | | support you need. |
| and add handrails to your stair-climber to reduce the | | | | If you don't exercise at a health club, it's a good idea to |
| risk of falling. | | | | have an exercise partner. A partner gives you |
| If aerobic exercise is part of your fitness regimen | | | | someone to talk to, can "spot" for you so your not as |
| before pregnancy, you should be able to continue with | | | | likely to fall or strain muscles and comes in really handy |
| it. Many gyms and clubs offer pregnancy aerobics | | | | during the later stages of your pregnancy when it's |
| classes. They're not only safe, but fun, and the social | | | | difficult to get off the floor (or the sofa) without a |
| interaction with other pregnant women can be an | | | | helping hand! |
| additional bonus! | | | | Remember, before you start a pregnancy exercise |
| Kegel exercises strengthen your pelvic floor, which | | | | routine, or make changes to your current one, always |
| may help you have an easier birth by aiding in | | | | ask your doctor if it's OK to make these changes. If at |
| controlling your muscles during labor and delivery. You | | | | any time during exercising you experience dizziness, |
| will be far less likely to have bladder leaks and | | | | nausea, shortness of breath, chest pain or vaginal |
| hemorrhoids during pregnancy, and Kegel exercises | | | | bleeding, immediately stop. If symptoms persist, see |
| are recommended to regain bladder control and aid in | | | | your doctor. |
| perineal healing after delivery. They are easy to do | | | | Exercising through your pregnancy helps keep you |
| and can be done at any time, in any place, because no | | | | healthy and fit! And did I mention that you get to go |
| one will ever know you're doing them! | | | | shopping? |