Exercise during pregnancy is important. It can help improve many aspects of life during pregnancy, including reductions of aches and pains, as well as swelling. It can help promote health in the cardiovascular system and also help the body use blood sugar to treat and possibly prevent gestational diabetes. A pregnant woman must be aware of her changing body and not push herself too hard.
Recommended Guidelines
In years past, doctors and health-care professionals recommended that a pregnant woman's heart rate not exceed 140 beats per minute for the safety of both the mother and baby. According to Dr. Roger W. Harms, of the Mayo Clinic, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists no longer limits heart rate. It is recommended that pregnant women get 30 minutes of exercise each day.
Body Signals
Instead of relying on monitoring heart rate, Harms recommends relying on physical body signals to indicate when to slow down and give the body a break. Women should be able to speak normally while exercising. Heavy breathing, excessive sweating and flushing, are signs that exercise could be too much. Dehydration and overheating can result from pushing too hard.
Previous Exercise
Women who exercised regularly before pregnancy should be able to continue their exercise routines throughout pregnancy, with alterations made to accommodate the pregnancy. When a routine exercise regimen is already in place, the cardiovascular system is stronger and is able to handle more than someone who didn't exercise before pregnancy.
Safe Exercises
Exercises safe during pregnancy include low-impact exercises, such as swimming, walking and yoga. These exercises are easily adjusted to suit a woman just beginning an exercise routine and also for those who are more advanced. Equipment such as stair climber, treadmills and elliptical machines are common choices because they usually have handrails for balance. As an added bonus, they often have built-in heart rate monitors for women whose doctors may implement heart rate restrictions if cardiovascular problems existed before the pregnancy.
Precautions
Women should always check with their doctor before beginning any exercise routine. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that any woman who is at risk for preterm labor or who has had vaginal bleeding or a premature rupture of membranes not exercise during pregnancy. Other conditions may exist that prohibit a woman from being able to exercise. Doctors will advise patients of their health status and whether or not exercise is OK.
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