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"Can I exercise during my pregnancy?" "How do I stay active during pregnancy?" "Is exercise safe during pregnancy?" — These are common questions that patients ask quite frequently during prenatal appointments.
Staying healthy and active with a good exercise routine during pregnancy is very important. Dr. Dyanne Tappin of Rocky Mountain Women's Health Center encourages patients to stay active for both her and her baby’s health.
Why exercise?
Being active for most, if not all, days for at least 30 minutes a day can help a woman during her pregnancy by:
- increasing her energy and helping with her mood
- promoting good muscle tone, strength, and endurance
- helping with sleep
- relieving common pregnancy symptoms like back pain, bloating, swelling, and constipation
What can I do?
Sports that are generally healthy during pregnancy include walking, swimming, cycling and appropriate aerobics adjusted for pregnancy. A woman should remember to stay well hydrated during and after their exercise routine, wear comfortable clothing, and most important, listen to her body for warning signs. Such warning signs include:
- bleeding
- dizziness
- muscle weakness
- increased cramping or contractions
- chest pain
- and/or shortness of breath
Sports that should be avoided include those that may involve falling, possible direct contact with the body, or activities that call for jumping, jarring motions, or quick changes in direction that may strain the joints and cause injury.
Stay active – Let’s keep your heart healthy during pregnancy!
