| Women who are taking into consideration | | | | obstetrician if you notice spotting during your |
| pregnancy over 35 often think about how their | | | | pregnancy or have significant discomfort or pain |
| bodies will adjust during the 9 months they will | | | | after exercising as this could indicate a potential |
| carry their child. Once you've done all the | | | | problem. |
| calculating in your pregnancy calendar and have | | | | If you are a workout fanatic 7 days a week for |
| had your pregnancy confirmed by your | | | | 3 hours a day, you may need to restrict some of |
| obstetrician or other medical professional, it's time | | | | the types of workouts that you do and take it a |
| to start thinking about how your current trips to | | | | little easier especially during the last trimester. If |
| the gym or at-home exercise routine may | | | | you never work out at all except to get in and |
| change. | | | | out of the car to go to work or to take your |
| Exercise should be an important part of your daily | | | | other children to their extracurricular activities, |
| routine and can be extremely beneficial for not | | | | then now is a good time to take a look at what |
| only you, the 'more mature' mother, but for your | | | | you can do to increase your overall physical |
| baby as well. Besides the obvious benefits of | | | | health. |
| having a healthy body with more energy, being in | | | | There are many exercise techniques that you can |
| shape physically can help you to deal with the | | | | adopt to increase blood flow, energy, and |
| demands that having a baby can put on your | | | | emotional balance, in addition to improving your |
| body during pregnancy and in having the energy | | | | body's stamina, balance and alignment as well as |
| to care for your child. | | | | your overall muscle health and strength. Some of |
| Not only can pregnancy and exercise give you an | | | | the regular activities you can do throughout your |
| emotional lift, but it may also help you to have a | | | | pregnancy can include yoga, Pilates, stability balls, |
| shorter recovery time and allow you to bounce | | | | meditation, tai chi, walking, swimming or other |
| back more quickly than you might if you're not in | | | | low-impact activities. Many women who jog or run |
| good health. Exercising helps you to adjust to the | | | | on a regular basis prior to conception can continue |
| additional weight you'll be carrying around by the | | | | that activity for most of their pregnancy as long |
| last trimester, improves circulation, helps to relieve | | | | as they are careful and closely monitor their |
| common occurrences like backaches and helps to | | | | bodies. |
| prevent varicose veins and constipation. | | | | If you haven't been exercising on a regular basis |
| As with any physical activity concerning | | | | start gradually, keeping it at a moderate level and |
| pregnancy, you should discuss all exercise routines | | | | be sure not to overdo it. Listen to your body and |
| and activities with your doctor. Some women | | | | when it starts to tell you to slow down or you |
| may have to significantly reduce their exercise | | | | start to feel pain, it's time to stop and take a |
| regime due to previous history of miscarriage, an | | | | break. Remember to drink lots of water during |
| incompetent cervix, multiple fetuses, or other | | | | and after exercising which helps to replenish the |
| health related concerns. Others are free to | | | | oxygen supply for both you and the baby. |
| continue exercising as normal as long as there | | | | Pregnancy and exercise go hand in hand to |
| does not appear to be any complications along | | | | provide you and your baby with the physical and |
| the way. Always be sure to notify your | | | | emotional balance that you need. |