Be a Fit Mom: Exercising while pregnant

Lifting the baby furniture sets while setting up the nursery or walking while shopping for new nursery bedding, newborn boy clothes or baby girl blanket does not count as exercise. In fact, leave it to others to rearrange the luxury baby furniture. You need to approach working out or any kind of extra movement with caution. And you’ll ask yourself, why bother with exercising at all? Because it can help you prepare for labor and childbirth, it can lift your spirits while under a huge hormonal change. It will keep you in shape and you’ll be able to lose the baby fat easier after the birth of your child. No matter if you exercise regularly or not, stick to these basic rules to be sure you and your baby are safe.

Consult your doctor

Discuss your fitness routine with your doctor who can make sure your activities don't harm you or your baby. Moms who have uncomplicated pregnancy and exercised regularly before getting pregnant will probably be able to continue working out with minor modifications. Moms who are new to exercise will have to choose a lighter routine.

Add extra calories

Every work-out burns a lot of calories, so it is very important to eat well and strengthen your body in a healthy way. You will naturally gain weight as the baby grows, because you'll have to eat at least 300 more calories per day than before you were pregnant. The number of calories per day will rise if you're exercising more. Your doctor will help you combine your diet with your exercise routine.

No dangerous sports

Contact sports are off limits, as well as horseback riding, mountain biking, and basically every sport that can get you of balance. During pregnancy the levels of the hormone “relaxin” are increased. This hormone relaxes the pelvic joints and loosens all ligaments, so you can get sprains and fall injuries more likely while pregnant.

Right light clothes

It is very important to wear loose clothing and dress in layers. That way it will be easier to get off a layer after you have warmed up. Make sure you wear suitable maternity bra that offers enough support. Get new athletic shoes with a good support as well, having in mind that your shoe size is probably changed because of the pregnancy swelling.

Warm up and drink up

Prepare your muscles, joints and heart rate with warm-ups. It is important to hydrate your body with drinking a lot of water before, during, and after your exercise. You don’t want to get dehydrated and get contractions.

Stay in shape, stay healthy and happily await your new role as a mom!