Exercise is good for
pregnant women!
In addition to the regular benefits of
exercise, pregnant women who exercise are likely to return to their
pre-pregnancy shapes sooner, feel increased energy, and fend of stress more
readily. According to James F. Clapp, M.D., author of Exercising
Through Your Pregnancy women can exercise before, during, after their
pregnancies. "Some women fear that exercise will increase the risk of
miscarriage, malformations, pre-term labor, brain damage to the baby, or
material injury, but this is not the case."
However, according to Dr. Clapp's
research, women who exercise feel better, perform better, and have babies that
are be stronger physiologically and perhaps better developed neurologically.
Among the questions he answers:
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How does exercise benefit the mother?
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How does exercise affect growth of the
fetus?
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What is the effect of exercise on milk
production?
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Does exercise limit weight gain during
pregnancy?
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What is the right amount of exercise?
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What are the dos and don'ts of
exercising when pregnant?
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When should exercise be avoided?
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How late into pregnancy can you
exercise?
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What should be the exercise
regimen after giving birth?
Dr. Clapp provides guidelines for exercise plans that safely fulfill a
mother's needs during different phases of pregnancy.
Common
Myths about Exercising and Pregnancy
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Pregnant women should keep their heart
rates under 140 beats per minute.
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Exercise during lactation makes the milk
taste sour.
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Women should avoid abdominal exercises
in mid and late pregnancy.
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Pregnant women should not lift weights.
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The bouncing and jarring which occur
during running and high-impact aerobics
increase the risk for the baby getting tangled
up in the umbilical cord.
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Exercise causes
premature labor.
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Exercise will cause the fetus to detach
from the wall of the womb.
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Exercise right after a pregnancy will
cause hernias and loss of vaginal and pelvic support.
