Five Common Myths About Exercising During Pregnancy

In previous generations, women were encouraged to sit with their feet up and not overexert themselves during pregnancy. Since then, research has shown that both mothers and babies benefit from exercise during pregnancy.

According to WebMD.com and Babycenter.com, the benefits of exercise during pregnancy include:
- Shorter labor
- Better sleep
- More energy
- Reduction of discomforts
- Increase of stamina (which will aid in childbirth)
- Reduction of stress
- A faster return to your pre-pregnancy shape after delivery

Here are five common myths about the impact of exercise on pregnancy, and the truth behind them.

1. Women who have never been active prior to pregnancy should avoid starting an exercise program.

According to WebMD.com, as long as you do not have any risk factors, and exercise under the guidance and encouragement of your doctor, you can start an exercise program during pregnancy even if you were not active before becoming pregnant. Now is not the time, though, to start training for a marathon. You and your baby can benefit from as little as walking for ten minutes each day.

2. Don't let your heart rate exceed 130-140 beats per minute during exercise.

While it is important to be aware of your level of exertion, it is better to go by your rate of perceived exertion than your heart rate, says WebMD.com. You don't want to overexert yourself (and never to the point where your temperature exceeds 102 degrees Fahrenheit), so you should exercise at a level where you aren't breathless, says AmericanPregnancy.org. Your level of exertion should be such that you can carry on a conversation with minimal effort. If you can do this without any effort, you can pick up the pace a little bit, but if you can't say more than a few words without getting winded, it's time to slow down. Of course, make sure while you are exercising that you stay hydrated. In addition to preventing dehydration, this will also help your body cool itself.

3. You should avoid abdominal exercises during pregnancy.

In previous generations, women were encouraged to sit with their feet up and not overexert themselves during pregnancy. Since then, research has shown that both mothers and babies benefit from exercise during pregnancy.

Credit: Suprijono Suharjoto | iStockPhoto

Copyright: © Suprijono Suharjoto | iStockPhoto