Guidlines for Exercising While You're Expecting

If you're worried about exercising while you're pregnant, here are a few pregnancy exercise guidelines about staying fit while expecting.

Almost all medical professionals will agree that exercising while pregnant is very good for you and provides a variety of benefits. There are, however, some exercises that should be avoided.

After the first trimester, weight lifting and sit ups are not recommended. Lifting weights reduces the blood flow to your kidneys and uterus, which decreases the blood supply to your baby. Instead of doing sit-ups to tone your abdomen, get down on all fours to tighten and release your abdomen muscles as you exhale.

The following exercises should be avoided unless your doctor instructs you differently.

* An exercise that requires you to bounce

* An exercise that has a lot of up and down movements

* An exercise that forces you to leap

* An exercise that will make you take sudden changes in direction

* An exercise that may cause any risk to the abdomen.

Your doctor may also limit you on the following;

* Sports involving physical contact

* Skiing downhill

* Scuba diving

* Riding horses

Step aerobics is accepted only if you can lower your step as you progress in your pregnancy. If you do continue with aerobics, remember to not do them to the point of exhaustion or becoming short of breath.

The following symptoms are signs from your body that something is not quite right. Please pay attention to your body as it speaks to you.

* Spotting or Bleeding from the vagina

* Pain that is unusual for you

* Being dizzy or lightheaded

* Becoming short of breath

* Pain in your chest or fast heart palpitations

* Leaking fluid from your vagina

* Contractions in the uterus

After permission from your doctor to exercise, start slowly at 5 minutes and gradually increase your time. Eat snacks, drink plenty of water and avoid getting dehydrated. Dress comfortably, including wearing a bra that will give good support to your breasts. If you get sick, do not exercise that day. On a hot day, walk in an air conditioned building. And most importantly, if your body is trying to tell you something, you need to listen to it.