Maternal Moves: Staying Fit While Pregnant

Pregnancy brings so many changes to your body—some good and some not-so-good—that you may be tempted to just put your feet up and move as little as possible. Resist that temptation!

Getting up and moving while pregnant offers a world of benefits to you and your growing baby. Regular, moderate exercise—favorites include walking and water aerobics—can help reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes for some women; lessen pregnancy-related woes such as backache, bloating and constipation; increase energy; and improve mood.

Even if you were rarely active before becoming pregnant, you can start during pregnancy. Just be sure to check with your health care providers to make sure there are no medical or obstetrical reasons (called a contraindication) to avoid exercise.

Here are some guidelines to follow: