I recently read an article on Today about a mother who is a serious runner, even through her pregnancies. Then I remembered a local article I had read about a pregnant mother being criticized about her weight lifting routine.
Many people criticize the pregnant women exercises that they don’t agree with as seeming “normal.” I read comments criticizing these women as if they aren’t thinking of their babies, but only of themselves. That they are only worried about putting on pounds and wanting to still look thin. That these mothers are SELFISH.
I’ll tell you what: the exact OPPOSITE is true.
Pregnant Women Exercises - These Mothers are SELFLESS
These mother know exactly what they are doing-they are giving their baby wonderful health by keeping themselves healthy still. It is completely well for a mother who had an exercise routine before she became pregnant to continue it afterwards. If she feels well and able, then it’s just fine. Ask your doctor and he’ll agree with me.
I’m a bit of a runner myself, certainly not a professional one, but enough to call it part of my exercise routine. I continued jogging through my first trimesters and somewhat into my seconds. I would get tired easier, so I simply had to slow down a little. But I still felt GREAT! I was glad that I was able to give that much time of jogging with my child.
Here I am hiking Ben Lomond last summer.
The only reason that I stopped jogging in my pregnancies was the subtle bouncing around of my belly that wasn’t very comfortable. Some women don’t have that problem. But I just switched over to stair walking, elliptical, and hiking hills. And they felt just as good. I didn’t have any issues with gaining weight, I still put on about 35 pounds each time, no trouble.
And I plan on keeping my exercise routine throughout my next pregnancies as well. (I do the best pregnancy exercises to stay strong.)
I had two different doctors for each of my pregnancies, and BOTH stated that getting their patients to exercise is the number one thing that they wish happened more often. They were glad to hear that I still was.
I IMPLORE you to continue your exercise routine throughout your pregnancy
It will give your baby so many additional benefits than just eating a healthy diet can. But the BEST part is that it will make your Labor & Delivery EASIER and shorter when the time arrives. If you haven’t been exercising regularly beforehand, that’s OK. You can still start simple and have mountains of improved benefit over time.
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What do you think is too much, or maybe not enough for a pregnant mother to be doing for her exercise?
AmberGBredlow says
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this article! It is the little changes that will make the greatest
changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
You’re welcome Amber. Visit anytime.
Chris Lee says
A female friend is pregnant and she’s been wondering what exercise she’s able to do.
I’ll forward your article to her as soon as I get home.
All the best 😉
Chris Lee
Let her know that I’m here to help her with anything! Give her a link to this page and also this one for nutrition too. Thanks Chris!
Martina says
I’m glad to know that it’s good to exercise during pregnancy because I don’t wanna give up my exercise routine for 9 months.
Thats and excellent goal, Martina. Do keep in mind that you will tire MUCH easier and that it’s certainly fine to slow down or cut back some. You’ll become hungrier much faster too. But yes, once that first trimester is over, you’ll find renewed energy to keep any routine up, especially if you had it beforehand. Let me know how you’re feeling and if you have any questions about your exercise. Thanks for your comment!
This is one of those subjects that has a cultural taboo on it just like natural birthing does (Though there were plenty of healthy babies born naturally before the advent of modern medicine).
If Mom can still exercise while pregnant I think that’s amazing!
It seems like all subjects surrounding natural baby birth have taboos associated with them.
But you’re exactly right, Jared: babies have been born naturally for thousands of years and that’s one of the things I would keep telling myself consistently.
Exercising during pregnancy is THE number one thing that will help a mother reach her goal of having a natural birth, no contest.
Thanks for your comment!
this is a great site for women and soon to be fathers
Thanks David! Pass the word on to anyone you know that is expecting.