Pregnancy & Fitness

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle throughout pregnancy by regularly participating in a fitness program will benefit both mom and baby.

Significance

Women who do not receive proper prenatal care, which includes eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly, are at a higher risk of delivering prematurely, having low birth weight babies, or having babies born with birth defects.

Types

Pregnant women can participate in prenatal aerobic or yoga classes, jog, walk or swim regularly to maintain their health throughout their pregnancy.

Benefits

A woman who exercises during her pregnancy will increase her muscle tone and flexibility, build stamina to ease labor and delivery, and can lower the heart rate of the fetus.

Considerations

Pregnant women should avoid exercises that involve balance, like skating, skiing or bicycling, since their center of gravity shifts throughout pregnancy and increases the risk of falling.

Warning

Women who are pregnant should keep their heart rate under 140 beats per minute, drink plenty of water to avoid overheating, and rest if they become dizzy or faint.

References

• Medical News
• Medical Moment
• American Pregnancy Association