Another pregnancy Rx… get active!

Doctors should add another prescription for expectant mothers – exercise. Most MDs don’t seem to emphasize it enough, but active moms are healthier and happier, so are their babies. According to a report in this year’s August issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (JAAOS), physicians and mid-wives should be advising their pregnant patients to engage in low to moderate exercise.

Even if the expectant mother has not exercised prior to her pregnancy, now would be a good time to start – just as any. Read on to find out why, and what the best exercises are for moms-to-be.

Many doctors even advice women to “take it easy” while they’re pregnant “just to be on the safe side.” Some physicians still hold on to the old belief that physical activity  can hurt a pregnant woman and her fetus. New medical findings already disprove this. There are only a few medical cases that will call for pregnant women to skip their work-outs. Experience also accounts for healthy, full-term pregnancies that include a healthy regular dose of exercise.

According to the review article published in JAAOS, aerobic exercise, impact and non-impact activities, resistance training and swimming can help with:

• lowering maternal blood pressure;
• lowering glucose levels;
• reducing pregnancy-related swelling;
• easing lower-back and other musculoskeletal pain;
• and improving hormonal mood swings.

Active pregnancies are also linked to easier labor and deliveries with less complications. This not only benefits mothers, but helps newborn health outcomes as well.

Study author Dr. Marlene DeMaio says women who did not exercise regularly before becoming pregnant should not be discouraged – or have an excuse not to exercise. ”When a woman becomes pregnant, she often re-evaluates her lifestyle. She is motivated in a new way to deliver a healthy baby, and be healthy herself,” explains Dr. DeMaio.

If you are pregnant and have not been exercising regularly before, you can start a more active lifestyle. Just begin with low impact activities such as walking or swimming. Even prenatal yoga classes or light weights can do you good.

It is best to be under the guidance of a fitness professional, especially if you were not very active before. Consult with your doctor to make sure you do not have a pregnancy condition that can be aggravated by exercise. Otherwise, most normal pregnancies can have – or rather, should have – exercise as part of the daily routine.

And remember that they recommend low to moderate exercise. The goal is to adapt fitness to your current state of health, along with the stage of your pregnancy. For example, long-time runners can switch to running in a swimming pool later in their pregnancy when it is harder to take road impact with a heavier belly.

Caring for a baby is a physical and emotional feat. Might as well get physically fit to take on the challenge. Those exercise endorphins should also be good for you. Happy mommies make happy babies!

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