Health Tip: Exercising During Pregnancy

(HealthDay News) -- Assuming your doctor approves, exercise can help keep you healthy and feeling good during pregnancy.

While you should avoid strenuous activity, light exercise can offer many benefits during pregnancy.

The Nemours Foundation offers this partial list:

• Feeling better, having more energy, and getting better sleep at night.
• Reduced back pain and improved posture from stronger back, thigh and buttock muscles.
• Reduced stress and anxiety.
• Reduced risk of constipation.
• Less weight gain during pregnancy, and a quicker return to your pre-pregnancy weight.

Your body should tell you if it''s had enough. Stop exercising immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Fatigue.
• Dizziness.
• Heart palpitations.
• Shortness of breath.
• Pain in your back or pelvis.

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: Feb. 02, 2007

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