Pregnancy and Exercise

During pregnancy, it is important for women to maintain optimum health whenever possible, concentrating on eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. Apart from the benefits the mother enjoys from a healthy lifestyle, there is evidence of health benefits to the child as well.

On strict instructions from some pregnant friends of mine, I used my resources in the gynecology department of the medical center I work in to interview some of the doctors in the field of obstetrics to determine just how much exercise, and what types are okay for women to engage in during pregnancy, and which types are contraindicated.

Essentially, a woman who is already in strong physical condition and engages in a regular exercise routine should be able to continue that routine with some modifications where necessary. Continuing exercise regimes that address strength training, flexibility, and cardiovascular health will keep the mother and fetus strong and healthy, and can also provide some very attractive benefits during delivery, including an decrease of time spent in labor (fit women are more adaptable to the rigors of labor), better tolerance to pain, and a decrease in likelihood of requiring Cesarean section (due to the shortened labor and the strength of the mother).