Exercise
- Exercise is recommended during pregnancy.
- Benefits of exercising:
- Easier labor and delivery
- Faster labor and delivery
- Helps deal with stress
- Helps with mood swings
- Helps reduce pregnancy side effects such as morning sickness
- Baby is typically more relaxed at birth
- Walking is strongly encouraged during most pregnancies.
- If you are not used to exercising, please talk to your doctor before beginning an exercise program.
- Talk to your doctor about warning signs to look for that tell your body to stop exercising.
- When exercising:
- Don’t get overheated.
- Drink lots of fluids, especially water.
- If you feel pain, stop!
- There are some cases when a woman should not exercise during pregnancy, so you should discuss this with your doctor. Some reasons for not exercising during pregnancy include:
- History of miscarriages
- Incompetent cervix
- Premature labor or a history of premature labor
- Pregnancy-induced hypertension
- Twins or other multiple pregnancy
- For a complete list, please ask your physician.
- Here are some other lists for warning signs of when to stop exercising:
- http://health.state.tn.us/WIC/women_brochures.htm
- http://health.state.tn.us/WIC/PDFs/Women/Relief_For_Commom_Pregnancy_Discomforts.pdf
- http://health.state.tn.us/WIC/PDFs/FruitsandVeggiesEnglish.pdf
- http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/eating_pregnancy.html
- http://www.mypyramid.gov/mypyramidmoms/pyramidmoms_plan.aspx
- http://www.webindia123.com/health/women/pregnancy/diet.htm
- http://www.nal.usda.gov/wicworks/Topics/MyPyramid_Resources.html
- http://www.anatomicaltravel.com/CB_site/Conception_to_birth3.htm
- http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/pubs/bibs/topics/pregnancy/pregcon.pdf
- http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/pregnancy_gateway/before.htm
- http://www.healthierus.gov/nutrition.html
- http://www.obfocus.com/nutrition/RDApregnancy.htm
- http://www.obfocus.com/nutrition/RDAlactation.htm
- http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/pregnancy_gateway/default.htm
- http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/benefits/nutrient_guide.html
- http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/wh-folic.html
- http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/960321372.html
- http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/prenatal.htm
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/prematurebabies.html#cat10
- http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/birthwt.htm
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001562.htm
- http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_823.asp
- http://www3.doh.wa.gov/here/materials/PDFs/15_9Months_E07H.pdf
- http://health.state.tn.us/WIC/PDFs/Women/Food_Healthy_Mother_Baby.pdf
- http://health.state.tn.us/WIC/PDFs/Women/Healthy%20Weigh%2002-07_1.pdf
- http://health.state.tn.us/WIC/PDFs/Women/Shop_and_Save.pdf
- http://health.state.tn.us/WIC/PDFs/Women/Your%20Guide%20to%20Healthy%20Eating%20and%20Physical%20Activity%20Eng-Span.pdf
- Nathanielsz, Peter. The Prenatal Prescription. HarperCollins Publishers. New York, NY: 2001.
Disclaimer:
This information is meant for educational purposes only and cannot
replace medical advice. Contact your doctor about any
concerns you have.