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Female: Hey mom to be, imagine a healthier baby, easier labor and the rest at you. These benefits and more are just a gentle jog away.
Dr. Catherine: Whether you are in week one or week 40, your pregnancy will usually be healthier, happier and shorter on symptoms if you make exercise a part of your daily routine.
Women with normal pregnancies should try to exercise at a moderate rate for 30 minutes or more each day. To do it safely, here are some tips. Before you get ready to workout, you need to get the okay from your doctor. He or she will discuss an exercise program with you and talk about which workouts are best. When you are exercising for two, it is important to have a light snack and a glass of fluid before beginning your workout. Wear a comfy breathable clothing and a good well fitted sports bra. You will also want to avoid certain activities that may not be safe for your baby. Off limit exercises includes scuba diving, gymnastics, downhill skiing, ice skating, horseback riding, hockey, soccer and basketball.
Many pregnant women finds swimming or water aerobics to be in a specially helpful exercise while pregnant. Working out in the water is gentle on the joints and provides little risks of overheating. Others find a prenatal yoga or Pilates class to be beneficial too. These low impact disciplines both encourage relaxation and attention to breathing, perfect for moms to be.
It is important to remember that moderation is key, no pain no gain does not apply in this case. Here is how to tell if your workout is, well, too much work. During your cardio workout, you should feel yourself breathing heavily but should never be unable to talk or sing. Try to limit the cardiovascular portion of your workout to 40 minutes or less. If your strength training by lifting weights or doing flexibility exercises like Yoga, you should stop immediately if you feel pain or strain. And, avoid exercises where you are lying flat on your back for prolonged periods. When you are exercising and pregnant, you need to remember that the usual rules do not apply. You are not trying to lose or maintain weight, you are trying to gain and be it at a healthy level.
Exercise is not only healthy for you, it eases pregnancy symptoms and encourages a healthy baby.
Female: Want to learn more? Check out other videos and sources on this site for more information.
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