i just found out today that i am pregnant (yay!) and i was wondering if i could continue my daily situps and jumping jacks? would i hurt the baby at all?
what exercises can i or can i not do while pregnant?
2007-12-07 07:11:39 · 8 answers · asked by Ilene 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Definitely check with your doctor first. Some things you CAN do are walking and swimming. There are also work-out dvd's for pregnant women. Congratualtions!
2007-12-07 07:16:42 · answer #1 · answered by im sure 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good question! Exercise is very important throughout pregnancy to give you the energy you need for daily life and for labor and birth at the end. Regular physical exercise also reduces your risk of complications such as gestational diabetes. It's great that you already have exercise in your routine - it's important even before conception.
General guidelines that apply here are to avoid exhaustion, anything that hurts, raising your core temperature above a safe level (a temp above 102 Farenheit can be harmful to baby), and raising your pulse rate above a safe level. Check with your care provider to be certain about the current guidelines. Also, exercises that are jarring, require balance (since your center of gravity will be changing throughout pregnancy), carry risk of abdominal trauma, and after the first trimester, lying on your back, are all out.
So the jarring would probably rule out the jumping jacks, and the no lying on the back rule rules out the sit-ups. That being said, please continue exercising by modifying your routine. Instead of sit-ups, you can do "pelvic rocking" by getting on all-fours and gently tightening your abdominal muscles and tilting your pelvis downward (arching your back slightly - but concentrate the movement in the pelvis), and alternating that with a relaxed pose, with the back swaying slightly. For aerobic exercise, you could speed-walk instead of jumping jacks, or sign up for a prenatal aerobics class. Swimming is another excellent pregnancy exercise which is even more comfortable later in pregnancy. There are other exercises which strengthen and tone the muscles you will need to use when giving birth; I will list a couple of books for you to look at to find these in below.
2007-12-07 07:30:04 · answer #2 · answered by carrie_moonbeam73 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Anything without impact... so no running, playing basketball... sports in general not a good idea. no sit-ups lying down after about 20 wks. The best cardio is fast walking and the elliptical... if you do push ups do them with your feet on an exercise ball. Sit ups using a machine are great too.
You don't have to do much different than someone who isn't pregnant just remember not to over do it. Lighter weights, more reps. Glad you asked though - make sure you are exercising!! It's so good for you and baby - makes labor a lot easier and will seriously boost your energy levels!!
Good Luck!
2007-12-07 07:18:44 · answer #3 · answered by Tiffany 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Swimming!
I was doing that up to a week before my baby was born. It feels great, takes lots of pressure off your body. Make sure there's a lifeguard, and if you go into the deep end, have a pool noodle or something close by.
2007-12-07 07:19:31 · answer #4 · answered by Bridget S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sit ups and jumping jacks...lol. Brisk walking, swimming and some yoga would be fine but check with your doctor to see if you have to stop your regular routine right away.
2007-12-07 07:23:25 · answer #5 · answered by Grant N 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My mom did an hour of aerobics everyday while pregnant with my brother and I...We're OK =)
As long as you don't over exert yourself, drink plenty of water.
ALWAYS ask your doctor though =D
2007-12-07 07:16:43 · answer #6 · answered by justplainsweet83 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Anything except crunches is what my doc told me.
2007-12-07 07:19:06 · answer #7 · answered by Sptfyr 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the dr. told me I can
do anything that doesnt make me feel uncomfortable.
if it does stop.
Otherwise ask you Dr.
2007-12-07 07:18:05 · answer #8 · answered by Baby Ashtyn June 2008 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋