Is it Safe to Exercise While Pregnant?

The short answer is yes. Exercise is a safe addition to a normal, healthy pregnancy. Research has shown consistently that moderate exercise is safe and, in fact, beneficial for both mother and baby. Women who exercise at a moderate intensity at least three times per week, throughout their entire pregnancy will experience an improvement in their well-being: they'll have more energy, sounder sleep, reduced constipation, fewer leg cramps and a quicker return to pre-pregnancy weight when compared to their non- exercising counterparts (ACOG, 2002; Clapp, 2002). Among the benefits to babies of exercising mothers are less crankiness and less likelihood of colic.

Getting Started Current guidelines published by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend pregnant women exercise moderately for 30 minutes or more, on most, if not all, days of the week. Now, before you get your running shoes on, get clearance from your caregiver; they are the best source of information about your individual pregnancy

Playing it Safe Pregnancy is not a time to be breaking any records. The point is to maintain fitness, and have the easiest and healthiest pregnancy, delivery and recovery possible. Listen to your body, avoid becoming fatigued or overheated. Follow these simple guidelines during workouts:

- By Karen Nordahl, MD and Author of Fit to Deliver: an innovative prenatal and postpartum fitness program