Exercise is good for your physical and mental health—even while you're pregnant.
Although you may need to take some precautions, it's generally safe to exercise while you're pregnant. As long as you're healthy, exercise can benefit both you and your baby.
For instance, exercising can:
• Help ease pregnancy discomforts like back pain and constipation.
• Reduce your risk of some pregnancy complications, like gestational diabetes.
• Help you have a healthy pregnancy weight.
Staying active after your baby is born may help reduce your risk of postpartum depression.
How to exercise safely
Riverside Medical Group Women's Health Provider, Dr. Clementina Asamoah says, "Check with your doctor first. Make sure there aren't any medical reasons why you shouldn't exercise at this time. For example, having certain types of lung or heart disease, carrying twins, or having preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) could make exercise unsafe for you."
Once your doctor gives you the green light to start or continue exercise, these tips can help you get going safely and comfortably:
Choose activities you enjoy. Many activities are safe to do during pregnancy, including brisk walking; swimming or water aerobics, stationary cycling (you're less likely to fall than if you ride a regular bike), and modified yoga or Pilates poses. If you were already doing more vigorous workouts, like running, ask your doctor if you should keep doing them while you're pregnant.
Avoid risky activities. This includes activities that involve lying on your back and those that could cause you to fall. You should also avoid contact sports, like soccer or basketball.
Make it a habit. An ideal exercise plan includes 150 minutes of moderately intense aerobic activity each week. But any amount of exercise is better than none.
Drink plenty of water. If it's hot out, move your workout indoors.
If you have specific questions, do not hesitate to reach out to your women's health provider. Looking to find a women's health provider? Call (815) 935-4651 or click here.