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Article Summary

Should you exercise during pregnancy? A good rule of thumb is that if everything is going well, you can do almost any exercise you were doing before you got pregnant. And if you weren't exercising, then now's the time to start.

Exercise strengthens and tones muscles, some of which you'll be using during your labor and birth. It also increases the circulation of blood between you and your baby, decreases many of the discomforts of pregnancy (such as backache), improves your energy level, and helps you feel good emotionally.

;Safety First

;Birthing Exercises

Safety First

While exercise is great for you and your baby, there are a few precautions you should take. Here are some tips:

; Don't exercise for longer than 30 minutes at a time.

; Always include a warm-up and a cool-down period (in addition to the 30 minutes of exercise). ;

; Avoid forced, passive stretches, such as reaching for your toes or doing hamstring stretches. Pregnancy hormones make your joints looser, so overstretching;which can cause a muscle injury;is a greater risk during pregnancy. Also avoid sudden jerking or bouncing movements or quick changes in position.

; Limit aerobic activity to the low-impact variety, especially if you weren't exercising regularly before getting pregnant.

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