Stick to what you know, do best and what you have evidence of will work and is safe for you, your fitness level, pregnancy etc. not putting the mom or baby at risk in any way, shape or form. Timing for/of workout sessions will vary.

Find your metabolic pulse, early morning, midday, late night, then team up with someone – a fitness buddy or birthing partner that can work out alongside, spend time with and enjoy what you are doing. Be consistent and stick to your routines, plans and activities throughout the pregnancy, early, mid or later, just adjusting and modifying what you are doing, to allow for the changes and demands that your belly places on the rest of you!

Do not deplete all your energy and listen to the warning or telltale signs that your body is giving to you. If you skip a workout for feeling tire, fatigued, not up to it, do not be too hard on yourself. Be particularly careful if you are dealing with medical issues like gestational diabetes, hypertensions, multiple fetuses, have a history or an increased risk of premature labor, preeclampsia or heart disease. If any of these complications and challenges are present in or during pregnancy, mothers-to-be will be well advised to steer clear of any type of exercise.

Precautions and safety measures

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, here are some guidelines as to what to do and not to do when exercising while pregnant: Stop exercising and consult a midwife or doctor if any, some or all of the following signs and symptoms manifest itself bleeding, cramping, faintness, dizziness or severe joint, lower back or abdominal pain.

Avoid lying flat on your back after sixteen weeks into your pregnancy, the growing uterus, in effect compresses a major blood vessel, restricting blood flow back to the mother’s heart and to the baby. Be sensible about what you do when, how much, intensity, duration etc.

Comfortably breathing, not bating for breath, at anaerobic (or breathless) pace. You should be able, no matter what type of exercise or activity you do, to still breathe easy and talk, have a conversation with someone else without hassle or discomfort, trying to catch your breath all the time. Tone it down at that point.

Preparation, warm-ups and more

Balance and loss of it are key realities to bear in minds while exercising during pregnancy and most women will rather follow advice to avoid things like avoid riding horses, motorcycles or snowmobiles for the duration of their nine month pregnancy journey.

Fitness and Treatment Teams (trainer, medical professionals, Other Moms) can all have a positive role to play in this life and reproductive phase, processes and outcome. Watch your body temperature and hydrate, do not overheat, especially in early pregnancy, first weeks, first trimester when development is at its most fragile, and the baby sensitive to extreme temperatures.

Do not work out if you are feeling under the weather, are not up to it. Do not deprive your body of oxygen while working out by holding your breath, inhale and exhale normally. Remember, whatsoever you subject your body to; you are also exposing your baby to.

Wear comfortable clothes; pick a safe, non-slip environment, use supports and training equipment specifically that can assist you with your shifting sense and center of gravity. Warm up and cool down properly. Build strength, endurance and stamina at your pace and on your terms as an expectant mom. Modify and tailor workouts, types of activities to suit your needs, trimester, phase and stage, fitness-level and unique pregnancy.

Swimming or walking (or alternating both), can be great, even for those who have not been exercising regularly, pre-pregnancy. Discuss with your caregiver, birth partner and such, even your doctor about creating an exercise program designed, customize and adapted for you, your needs, and your goals. You could consider using a treadmill, exercise bike or swimming, to get your target heart rate up and enjoy a variety of activities to keep you going and sticking with it.

So, it does not take much to see and make a case for exercising while pregnant. It is fashionable, trendy and the in thing for mothers-to-be to do, but it is also so much more than mere Fad, Myth, Trend, Statement, personal obsession or commitment, it is a solid profitable investment in a Healthy Nine Months, with a high ROR (rate of return)!

How to dress for different stages of pregnancy

When you first become pregnant, you may think that you will have to wear oversized, misshapen, and drab clothing. While this may have been the truth twenty or thirty years ago, these days, maternity fashions have become big business in many fashion circles.

Department stores, specialty shops, consignment stores, and online venues carry more sophisticated clothing for those who are expecting. The need for better maternity clothing evolved for several reasons:

• Many women have careers before becoming pregnant. They do not want to go from the corporate office to the nursery without looking their best.
• Many women still work while they are pregnant and need to look professional at the workplace.
• Women have more money to spend on clothing during this stage in their lives, so they want clothing that will make them look good even during their ninth month.
• Boosting self-esteem in order to curb depression during pregnancy is recommended.

Whatever your reasons, you should buy clothing that is stylish, comfortable, and will expand as you do while you are pregnant. Deciding how much maternity clothing to purchase will depend on:

• Your clothing needs
• Your budget
• Weight gain over the term of the pregnancy
• What you already have in your closet
• What feels comfortable

Women feel comfortable in different types of clothing. Many would rather wear pants, while others would rather wear skirts or dresses. You should choose clothing that will make you feel good about being pregnant. You should also keep in mind that you will be wearing this clothing for nine months or a little longer depending on how quickly you decide to lose the excess weight.

Plan on buying a few nice outfits, a few causal outfits, and undergarments that will make you feel better during the day. Clothing that is too constrictive will not make you comfortable during your pregnancy. Looser clothing will allow you to grow and will also feel nice when it is close to your skin.

Excerpted from the book Understanding Pregnancy by Wings Of Success.

This excerpt has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Download this book on Boostlane:

https://boostlane.com/p/boostlane/1071/understanding-pregnancy/