How to Exercise when Pregnant
Exercising throughout your pregnancy will make you feel good, keep your weight gain reasonable, and—let’s face it—likely be more helpful in the delivery room than picturing yourself on a tropical beach…
Up next in How to Have a Healthy Pregnancy (21 videos)
Find out what you can do to have a healthy pregnancy -- and a healthy baby -- with the advice in this Howcast video series.
You Will Need
- Time to dedicate to regular exercise
- Plenty of fluids
- A good sports bra
- Common sense
Steps
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If you didn’t exercise before your pregnancy, get your obstetrician’s okay before you start working out.
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Step 1
Carry on
If you’re already a fitness buff, continue your routine as long as you feel up to it. However, there are a few activities you should avoid no matter how athletic you are: downhill skiing, contact sports, and scuba diving.
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Step 2
Choose wisely
If you’re a fitness first-timer, try walking, swimming, yoga, aerobics, and/or light weight training.
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Step 3
Start slowly
Start out slow. Walking for a mile at a brisk pace three times a week will lay a strong foundation for more rigorous exercise, later in your pregnancy or afterward.
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Step 4
Take five
Take five minutes to warm up before you exercise, and five minutes to cool down after.
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Step 5
Stay hydrated
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workouts. Extra fluids are vital during pregnancy.
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Step 6
Dress appropriately
Support your newly voluptuous—and probably sore!—breasts with a good-fitting sports bra. Wear shoes designed for the activity you do.
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Step 7
Tone that tummy
Tone that tummy! Strong abs make for an easier delivery, and will bounce back more quickly post-partum.
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After the first trimester, don’t do any exercise that requires lying on your back: You’ll put pressure on the vein that carries blood to your heart.
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Step 8
Strengthen birthing muscles
Strengthen your birthing muscles – yep, those – with Kegels. Simply squeeze and release as if you’re stopping and starting the flow of urine. Twenty reps five times a day is a good goal.
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Don’t overstretch or make sudden moves. During pregnancy your ligaments and joints loosen up considerably, especially towards the end of your term, putting you at risk for injury. Don’t overstrain yourself.
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Step 9
Consider a mommy-to-be class
Consider taking an exercise class that’s tailored for moms-to-be. Then you won’t have to think about whether what you’re doing is safe or not (as long as the instructor is qualified). And you’ll have other women around to motivate you.
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Step 10
Don’t overdo it
Whatever you do, don’t overdo it. Stop any activity if you feel dizzy, short of breath, start having contractions or vaginal bleeding, or if your legs swell up.
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A good way to make sure your aerobic workouts aren’t too intense: If you can talk while you’re working out, you’re fine.
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Step 11
Don’t feel guilty
Don’t feel guilty if you reach a point where you just can’t do it anymore—especially toward the end of your pregnancy. Go ahead and relax: That little baby is going to keep you on your toes soon enough.
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Studies have shown that women who work out while pregnant gain less weight, lose postpartum pounds more quickly, have faster deliveries, and are less likely to need a c-section.
