When you become pregnant, there are many concerns that begin to arise. Exercise during pregnancy is one concern you may be worrying about. The fear that it will harm your unborn child should not impact your choice to get exercise. In most cases, exercise is encouraged during pregnancy. In fact, during your first trimester you can perform most regular exercise.
Exercise
Performing aerobic exercise is an effective and safe exercise to perform throughout your pregnancy; however, there are some exercise that you can do during your first trimester that are not recommended for later in pregnancy. During your first trimester you can still engage in exercise that requires you to lie on your back, like crunches. This type of exercise is not advised after your first trimester as it can constrict the oxygen to your baby. Strength training can be done safely during your first trimester with few restrictions. It will be necessary to reduce the weight you normally use and increase your repetitions to avoid straining. As with floor exercises, you can lie down while performing strength training during your first trimester.
Guidelines
If you were actively exercising before you became pregnant, you can continue the same program during your first trimester. If you participate in contact sports, however, these activities should not be continued. If you were not exercising before you became pregnant, you can still exercise during your first trimester. Start slow and discuss your plans with your doctor.
Benefits
By exercising during pregnancy, you can help to maintain a healthy weight gain throughout. Exercise is also thought to aid in labor and delivery. During your first trimester, exercise can be helpful in alleviating early pregnancy symptoms. Exercise will decrease your fatigue, making you feel more energized in those early months. Exercise can also help lessen the amount of nausea you feel in the first trimester.
Warning
Most pregnant women will have no complications associated with exercise during the first trimester. The many changes during these early months will not have much impact on your ability to exercise. However, you should contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms: dizziness, vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, cramping, numbness or blurred vision. If you have a preexisting condition that makes your pregnancy high risk, such as heart disease, blood clots or pulmonary embolism, your doctor may recommend you not exercise.
