Ten Reasons To Exercise during Pregnancy

May 18, 2009 - PRLog -- Pregnancy has long been considered an optimal time for women to make healthy lifestyle changes. A healthy diet, adequate sleep, regular exercise and steering clear of stress are part of the package of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy birth.  Many women don't realize the significance of exercise during pregnancy, or they worry about hurting the baby.
The American College of Obstetricians and  Gynecologist (ACOG) agrees with the American College of Sports Medicine's (ACSM) recommendation of 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise daily for women with no complications.  Why is it important to exercise during pregnancy?  Here are ten reasons.

10.  Strengthen your pelvic floor muscles before pregnancy to help reduce the risk of incontinence
9. Gain upper body strength useful for the daily tasks of parenting - lifting baby, picking up toys, removing the car seat, carrying baby, and so on
8. Strengthen your core muscles for pushing during birth
7. Helps improve your mood
6. Improves your cardiovascular health
5. Controls excess maternal weight gain
4. Reduces the discomforts of pregnancy
3. Maintain a positive body image
2. Increases your stamina for labor
1. Improves posture
Added bonus: Research shows that children of moms who exercised during pregnancy scored higher on general intelligence and oral language skill tests.  

A great tool for determining  physical activity readiness is the PARmed - X for Pregnancy.  It includes a pre-exercise checklist, contraindications to exercise, guidelines for aerobic activity and a health evaluation form that is returned to the prenatal fitness instructor after obtaining medical clearance to exercise.  

In an effort to promote prenatal fitness Just Us Women Productions, LLC (provides services to women before, during and beyond pregnancy) has collaborated with Bare Fitness health club to provide pregnant women with a one of a kind mind/body fitness class designed for moms-to-be at all fitness levels.   Easy to follow and modifiable, sessions are a mixture of cardio, strength and flexibility training, dance, movement, relaxation, pelvic exercise, and fun in a “no stress setting.”  An added bonus of childbirth chat - discussion and Q & A focusing on labor and birthing, or motherhood as it relates to physical fitness.  No previous experience is  required.  

Classes will be held Friday nights to shake off the weekday stress and get ready for the weekend!  Location: Bare Fitness, 31 St. John Street, Goshen, NY 10924.  A free demo class will be held Friday, June 12 from 6:30pm - 7:30pm.  The regular 5 week session runs from June 26th - July 24th.  Discounted rates available for Bare Fitness members.  To register or learn more contact Tamara Wrenn at 914-595-2065 or Tamara.Wrenn@justuswomen.org.

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Just Us Women Productions, LLC (JUWP) is a woman owned company that provides services to women before, during and beyond pregnancy.