| Is early pregnancy exercise safe for mother and | | | | delivered a baby with a stronger fetal heart rate. |
| baby? For many years it has been believed that | | | | What will be of even greater interest to |
| expectant mothers should spend their pregnant | | | | expectant mothers is that exercising in pregnancy |
| months in a state of inactivity for fear that the | | | | reduces time spent in labor is shortened by 33%. |
| jarring motions of exercise could cause damage | | | | The truth of the matter is that your body is |
| to the fetus. | | | | designed to allow for activity in pregnancy without |
| Fortunately these times have changed and the | | | | damaging the fetus. For centuries women have |
| exact opposite of that old way of thinking has | | | | been active in pregnancy and you can be too. |
| proven to be true. It is safe to exercise during | | | | Below are some basic guidelines that you should |
| pregnancy, and it is actually recommended. | | | | follow. |
| What Research Has Shown | | | | Early Pregnancy Exercise Guidelines |
| James F. Clapp III, M.D. has been the world's | | | | Break yourself in slowly: If you have not regularly |
| foremost researcher in the area of exercise and | | | | exercised before start slowly. However, if you |
| pregnancy since the early 1980`s. His work has | | | | have already been following and exercise regimen |
| proven that exercise during pregnancy makes for | | | | you should be able to maintain your current |
| an easier pregnancy and delivery. | | | | exercise levels for the first trimester but do not |
| A study he conducted of 500 pregnant women | | | | try to increase it. |
| showed that expectant mothers who exercised | | | | Keep Yourself Hydrated: Drink plenty of water |
| throughout the course of their pregnancies | | | | when exercising to ensure you do not dehydrate. |