Regular exercise during pregnancy can offer genuine physical and emotional beneifts. Although intense activity isn't recommended, swimming, yoga and walking can be great ways to stay fit and healthy. Pregnancy puts additional stress onto ligaments and muscles as the body shape changes, so consider looking into a dedicated and tailored program of exercise. Pregancy shouldn't stop you from keeping fit, but listen to your body and don't overdo it.
A critical factor in ensuring good health and a feeling of wellbeing is the development of an appropriate program of regular exercise. Pregnancy can make you feel tired, bloated and uncomfortable - setting up an active exercise regime in the early stages can work wonders later on - also helping to reduce the chances of swollen feet, ankles and hands.
There are three key things to consider when putting together a program of exercise for pregnancy:
1. Don't take on too much. If you were a regular at the gym it's fine to keep up a fairly active schedule but if you weren't, now isn't the time to start.
2. Everyone's different. Just because other expectant mums are churning through laps at the local pool it doesn' mean that you should.
3. Don't forget your pelvic floor. A very important excercise for pregnancy, these should be done every day even after the baby is born.
The bottom line is that you should develop your own personalised health and fitness program for pregnancy and preparation for birth. Exercise is just one factor - remember that relaxation and sleep are also very important as you won't have much time when the baby arrives!