How to Maintain Exercise During Pregnancy

Step 1

Don’t start a heavy exercise routine during pregnancy. An expectant mother who has previously exercised on a regular basis is generally safe to continue her existing routine as long as it does not involve any high impact exercises that could be potentially dangerous during pregnancy. An expectant mother without an exercise routine in place can start slowly and establish a comfortable activity level to increase energy during pregnancy.

Step 2

Do a lot of walking. It is a wonderful way to get low impact exercise during pregnancy. Walking provides high quality cardio exercise without the risk of falling that other exercises such as biking have. A basic pedometer can help an expectant mother aim for a healthy 10,000 steps a day. Keeping track of daily steps often results in more activity throughout the day since a conscious effort is made to be more active.

Step 3

Drink a lot of liquids. Hydration is the one of the most important issues during exercise for a pregnant woman. During pregnancy, a woman’s need for fluids increases, so dehydration can come on quickly, especially during exercise. Carrying a reusable water bottle can help encourage higher fluid intake during exercise.

Step 4

Watch one of the many exercise DVDs geared towards the unique needs of pregnant women. Many pregnancy exercise DVDs can be purchased for under $20 and provide targeted exercises to help a woman maintain exercise during pregnancy and prepare for the birth.

Step 5

Do yoga; it’s a wonderful low-impact exercise during pregnancy. Many local recreation centers and gyms offer yoga classes for pregnant women. Yoga can help relieve some of the aches and pains of pregnancy and calm a nervous expectant mother.