If you are a low-risk, healthy pregnant woman, there is no reason for you to stop working out and every reason for you to move that bump!

Benefits of Working Out Throughout Your Pregnancy

• Lowers excess weight gain
• Increases blood flow
• Reduces pregnancy-related discomforts
• Improves calcium absorption, preventing hypertension, preeclampsia, and future osteoporosis: Studies show that physical activity during the first half of pregnancy is likely to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension.
• Relives tension, stress, and depression
• Increases general strength, improving the ability to carry the baby belly with a strong posture
• Reduces the strain on the upper back
• Reduces the strain and pressure on the lower back and sciatic nerve
• Prevents improper posture
• Improves Sleep
• Increases energy, particularly in the third trimester
• Improves immunity
• Improves self-image and self-esteem
• Provides a sense of achievement
• Provides a positive outlook on pregnancy
• Strengthens, tones, and gives better control of the pelvic floor muscles during labor
• Improves endurance, and muscle control for a less painful labor
• Lowers risk of c-section
• Reduces rates of birth defects
• Increases chances of high APGAR scores for baby

Postpartum Benefits to Exercising

Studies show that the babies of exercising moms tolerate the stresses of labor and delivery better than babies of non-exercising women.

One-year-old children of exercising moms are shown to perform significantly better on the standardized Bayley Scales of Infant Development when compared to non-exercising moms.

Five-year-old children of exercising moms tend to weigh less than the children of women who did not exercise during pregnancy. 

Other benefits include:

• Minimized stretch marks: HOORAY!
• Minimized baby blues/postpartum depression
• Minimized urinary leaking (incontinence)
• Faster recovery time after birth
• Increases energy
• Improves your child’s neurological, mental, and physical development