By: Jackie G. Maxwell
It only stands to reason, that if exercise is good for you without a huge belly, it can only help you and the baby, when you're pregnant. But what exactly will it do?
All the things that regular exercise does for a woman's body. It tones and strengthens muscles, which can help avoid back aches, and which also supports those joints that loosen due to the hormones that flow for nine months. Exercise increases the production of endorphins, the natural "feel good" chemical produced by our brains.
It can also wear off that little extra adrenalin that causes you to be anxious or fidgety, and unable to sleep. Plus, the increased blood flow is good for all your organs, including the biggest one- your skin.
What exercises can you do? That depends on your health before, and during the pregnancy. If you are experiencing pregnancy high blood pressure, premature contractions, fluid leakage, or bleeding, you need to check with your doctor before embarking on any exercise, regardless of what your normal routine is.
For pregnancies without complications, most women can continue their regular exercise programs, with modifications for such things as weight gain, balance problems, and weather conditions.
Someone who starts exercising after they become pregnant, should start out slowly, with their doctor's advice, and build up gradually using a variety of cardiac/aerobic, strength, and flexibility exercises.
Women should avoid exercises in which there are significant chances of falling, or of the body being jarred, bounced, or incurring impact on the abdomen.
