Exercise and Pregnancy

Exercise during pregnancy is helpful as long as you follow a few guidelines. First and foremost exercising while you are pregnant is okay ONLY if you were exercising prior to your pregnancy. It is never good to start anything new while you are pregnant. Your body is already going through many changes that it does not need any other shock.

Be safe by educating yourself on what muscular skeletal changes your body will be going through. Medical clearance from your doctor is mandatory prior to exercising. The doctor will give you lifting restrictions for strength training and a heart rate limit for cardio, according to which trimester you are in.

Lastly, since exercising during a pregnancy requires extreme caution, it is helpful to exercise with a Prenatal Certified Personal Trainer in order to prevent injury to mom and baby. A Prenatal Certified Personal Trainer can help guide you through exercises in a safe manner while monitoring your heart rate. These few simple guidelines will help maintain your health during your pregnancy.

Written by Huda Ahmed, MS, ACSM

PNF Stretching

PNF Stretching (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) If you do not have a partner available for stretching, you can utilize a device may be used to incorporate this style of stretching.

For example, while stretching the hamstrings from a supine position and with one leg elevated, a towel (the device) may be placed behind the heel. By pulling the towel toward the upper body, the hamstrings will be stretched.