WHAT KIND OF EXERCISE SHOULD YOU DO WHILE PREGNANT?

Exercise can make things go so much smoother. Pregnancy is a magical time where the body is constantly changing.  From the time the baby is conceived until the time of their arrival, the body will morph into something quite foreign to the mother. However, that is how it should be; the baby is setting up residence and making a new home for the next forty weeks. Many things will change through the duration of the pregnancy as you listen to the demands of your body.
Most pregnant woman experience extreme fatigue which causes them to rest and sleep more than usual. This is common because the body is working overtime and and that is very taxing on the mother. Extra sleep and rest are okay; however, a nine month hibernation or completely shutting down is not okay. Just because a woman is pregnant does not mean that she  should forgo her health. Maintaining a healthy exercise regime is key to a happy, healthy pregnancy and birth.
Exercise during pregnancy offers many benefits for the mom. Women who exercised throughout pregnancy have claimed that their labor and delivery do not seem so intense or prolonged. In addition, they are resilient, and seem to bounce back into shape quickly. Most pregnant women, however, feel nervous or scared about exercising because they are concerned they may harm the baby. A good rule of thumb for exercising during pregnancy is everything that was done before the pregnancy is acceptable during the pregnancy. So, if you are running three miles a day, then you can continue to run three miles a day.
There are many exercises that women should do during pregnancy and they can easily be incorporated into your daily workouts, however, before doing any exercise you should consult your doctor. Working your way up to thirty minutes of aerobic exercise a day is a healthy way to stay in shape during pregnancy. Aerobic exercises can be swimming, walking, light aerobic classes, cycling on a stationary bike, and of course running, but only if you ran before you became pregnant.

Weight lifting and strength training can be done; however, there are particular guidelines that should be following.  Lying on your back during the first trimester is not a good weight lifting position and should be avoided.  In addition, free weights should also be avoided; however, bands or weight machines can be used.  During pregnancy, women should refrain from lifting heavier weights, and should focus on lighter weight with more repetitions.
Exercises are healthy for everyone, so it is not surprising that it is good during pregnancy.  However, pregnant women need to listen to their body and adjust their exercise regimeaccordingly.