Tag Archives: Exercise During Pregnancy

Pregnancy: Exercise Guidelines

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EXERCISE GUIDELINES 

Exercising During PREGNANCY

If you exercised before your pregnancy, you should be able to continue your activity in moderation. Don’t push yourself like you did before you were pregnant.

Low impact aerobics are encouraged over high impact.

Keep your heart rate under 140 beats per minute.

Do not lie on your back to exercise after the 1st trimester.

Listen to your body!


If you have not exercised prior, you can safely begin an exercise program during pregnancy after consulting with your health care provider, but do not try a new, strenuous activity. 
Walking is considered safe to initiate when pregnant.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise per day on most if not all days of the week, unless you have a medical or pregnancy complication.

Also, wear comfortable clothes, drink plenty of water, warm-up and cool-down properly and don’t stand up quickly!





Who Should Not Exercise During Pregnancy?
If you have a medical problem, such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes, exercise may not be advisable. Exercise may also be harmful if you have a pregnancy-related condition such as:

  • Bleeding or spotting
  • Low placenta
  • Threatened or recurrent miscarriage
  • Previous premature births or history of early labor
  • Weak cervix
according to WebMD

Talk with your health care provider before beginning an exercise program. Your health care provider can also give you personal exercise guidelines, based on your medical history.

Advantages of working out during Pregnancy

  1.  Boost your energy
  2. Sleep better
  3. Reduce pregnancy discomfort
  4. Prepare for childbirth
  5.  Reduce stress and lift your spirits
  6.  Improve your self-image
  7.  Get your body back faster after childbirth

according to babycenter.com

Pregnancy Weight Gain:

So 25-35 pounds is considered a healthy weight gain during pregnancy.

So if you are like I was, you are thinking,

“Ok, so the baby weighs under 10 lbs – hopefully šŸ™‚ – so why am I so heavy???”

 This extra weight can sure mess with our heads!

 So let’s break it down:

  • 7.5 pounds: average baby’s weight
  • 7 pounds: extra stored protein, fat, and other nutrients
  • 4 pounds: extra blood
  • 4 pounds: other extra body fluids
  • 2 pounds: breast enlargement
  • 2 pounds: enlargement of your uterus
  • 2 pounds: amniotic fluid surrounding your baby
  • 1.5 pounds: the placenta
                                                                                          according to KidsHealth.org

It’s all good and necessary, so DON’T FREAK OUT and enjoy this special time  šŸ™‚

Vitamins and Supplements

It’s very very important to supplement your diet with a GOOD multivitamin during pregnancy.  This will fill in the gaps of nutritional requirements you and your baby have that will get missed in your food.

I used a WHOLE FOOD PRENATAL VITAMIN I got from Swanson Health Products.

  • Does not contain artificial colors or preservatives
  • Vegetarian and hypoallergenic
  • Made from whole food extracts in an all-natural, enzyme-activated, vegetarian formula for optimal health and energy.
I still like this one, but that was 7 years ago and there are many new options that are awesome.  Swansons offers the variety in RAW Whole Foods and Organic!
Check it out and find what’s best for you and your baby.

It’s also important to take a Folic Acid supplement.

 Folic acid really should be taken during our child-bearing time.  It plays a huge role in cell growth and development, as well as tissue formation.

And of course you can also take the prenatal vitamin your doctor prescribes.  If you choose to use a different one, be sure to take it to your appointment and let your doctor check it out, along with any other supplements you are taking.

For itchy, stretching skin, try

Perfect Prenatal Trimester & Shea ButterPerfect Butter

or

WholeMega Prenatal & Hand & Foot Cream



Herbs

That May Help Support a Healthy,

Comfortable Pregnancy

  • Red Raspberry Leaf – Rich in iron, this herb has helped tone the uterus, increase milk production, decrease nausea, and ease labor pains. Some studies have even reported that using red raspberry leaf during pregnancy can reduce complications and the use of interventions during birth.  You may see pregnancy teas that are made from red raspberry leaf to help promote uterine health during pregnancy.
      There is some controversy about whether this should be used throughout pregnancy or just in the second and third trimester, so many health care providers remain cautious and only recommend using it after the first trimester.

  • Peppermint Leaf – Helpful in relieving nausea/morning sickness and flatulence

  • Ginger Root – Helps relieve nausea and vomiting

  • Slippery Elm Bark – (when the inner bark is used orally in amounts used in foods) Used to help relieve nausea, heartburn, and vaginal irritations

  • Oats & Oat Straw – Rich in calcium and magnesium; helps relieve anxiety, restlessness, and irritated skin

Herbs To Avoid During Pregnancy!

  • Saw Palmetto – when used orally, has hormonal activity
  • Goldenseal – when used orally, may cross the placenta
  • Dong Quai – when used orally, due to uterine stimulant and relaxant effects
  • Ephedra – when used orally
  • Yohimbe – when used orally
  • Pay Dā€™ Arco – when used orally in large doses; contraindicated
  • Passion Flower – when used orally
  • Black Cohosh – when used orally in pregnant women who are not at term
  • Blue Cohosh – when used orally; uterine stimulant and can induce labor
  • Roman Chamomile – when used orally in medicinal amounts
  • Pennyroyal – when used orally or topically

To All My Prego Friends

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 Time I have spent with my pregnant friends lately has reminded me of the miracle of life and the beauty of our beginning.  Being a part of something so monumental will always be one of my favorite experiences in this life.

From the question of  “Could I be pregnant?” to hearing the heartbeat and feeling that first flutter to meeting this “mini me” is such a thrill!  Like the diversity in every human being, so is the pregnancy experience.  I love hearing stories and telling my own.  What a fascinating, whimsical  time.  It’s a season filled with NAUSEA, funny food CRAVINGS, curious DREAMS,  NO ENERGY at times, night sweats, CRAZY emotions, WEIGHT gain, and STRANGE changes within your body –  all within a short period of time.  And can we talk about feeling overwhelmed?  It’s so hard to grasp the fact that your family as you know it, whether it’s just you and your hubby or the 4 kids you’ve already had, is about to change.
I remember when we just had our first-born, Taylor.
It was the 3 of us.
We were a perfect family.  Life was sweet.
Then we prayed for a second baby and before we knew it, I was waddling around all big, emotional, and swollen.
We were all so excited about the new addition!
We all began to prepare in our own way.  Jeremy stayed calm and cool and just enjoyed Prego Ashley.  He understood and loved witnessing the miracle that was happening in me.  I also think he was amused by the
“new wife” he all of a sudden had!  šŸ™‚
It’s important for the husband to understand the changes happening within the woman.  If he can appreciate the wonder that is taking place, he can be more supportive and enjoy this time.
I went into my super mom mode of nesting and nurturing.
Taylor took on her new roll as big sister and began practicing.
I LOVED watching Taylor turn into a big sister.  She prayed for a brother or sister and knew this baby was a gift to our family!
I do have to admit, however, that there was a small unspoken part of me that was sad that the 3 of us would never be this way again.  I could not wrap my head around this “new” family… but I couldn’t wait for it to begin!
Well, on a September morning we found ourselves at the hospital
and that afternoon we got to meet our son for the first time.
It was one of my favorite days of my life.  In a moment, my family was now different… better…more complete.  Now it was the 4 of us.
It was perfect.  I love the four of us- Team Benson!  Now I cannot imagine “us” without every person.
So here are a few tips that might make your pregnancy a little more Comfortable and Enjoyable!
  • Eat small, nutritious  meals often
  • Stay updated with the growth and development of your baby.  It’s so cool to realize that when you eat spinach, for example, you are actually giving your baby what it needs for healthy skin, eyes, bones, and more!  This can change the way you look at food!
  • Pack your underwire bras away until you are finished supporting your baby!
  • Be cute, but be comfortable!
  • If you start swelling, watch your salt intake and drink lots of water.
  • When your ankles start swelling, put your feet up!
  • Read “So That’s What They’re For“  by Janet Tamaro for breastfeeding… GREAT BOOK! 
  • Exercise during pregnancy can help with energy, stamina, posture, and decrease back pain and fatigue.   It can also help you sleep better and can make all the difference in having an enjoyable, comfortable pregnancy.  Being active  may prevent  gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy), relieve stress, and prepare your body for labor and delivery.
  • Swim as much as possible… especially in the last trimester.  Take a break from the gravitational pull on your body in the water!
  • Other types of exercise safe for pregnancy:  walking, indoor stationary cycling, step or elliptical machines,  low-impact aerobics, stretching and strength training.
  • Pilates is good as long as you don’t do any exercises lying on your back after the 1st trimester.  I do have to add that Pilates is the BEST thing you can do to prepare your body for  pregnancy, and the BEST thing you can do postpartum!  After having a natural birth to my son, the nurse that was with me during the hard labor and delivery asked, “What DO you do?”  She was amazed with my strength and how quickly I was able to push out my baby!  I totally sold her on Pilates that day!  She saw the benefits!  I will also add – while I’m at it – that I recovered very quickly from my pregnancy.
I will write a new post  on my own personal experience with exercise and pregnancy soon!  I will also talk about exercise guidelines and prenatal supplements,
including what herbs are good, and which ones to avoid while pregnant!