In those nine months, there will be some days when just getting out of bed can be a challenge. Thinking about exercise during pregnancy might seem like out of question. But staying active has a lot of benefits both during pregnancy and after childbirth. Fitting exercising into your lifestyle and making it a healthy habit for the rest of your life has many benefits like:

• Fewer Pregnancy complaints like constipation, backache, etc.
• Decreased risk for Gestational Diabetes
• Easier Labor
• Faster recovery after birth
• Easier to lose excess weight

Why Is Exercise Recommended During Pregnancy?

Exercise does wonders for you during Pregnancy. It prepares you for childbirth by strengthening your muscles. During Pregnancy, your body releases a hormone called Relaxin which loosens your joints and prepares you for delivery. It is important to take care in choosing the exercises as per your body and the baby's health. The following exercises are fairly safe for expectant mothers, but you may have to modify your regime as you grow bigger. To be on the safer side, consult your doctor before doing any of these:

Walking: It is one of the best cardiovascular exercise for pregnant women. Walking for 20 minutes 4 times a week is a great way to be in shape. It is also considered to be safe throughout the nine months of pregnancy.

Swimming: It is ideal as it exercises both the arm and leg muscles. While swimming, the water supports your extra body weight and decreases the added strain on your joints.

Yoga: Yoga keeps you flexible and improves the strength of muscles during pregnancy. You can alternate between yoga and walking a few times in a week if you feel too much stressed while doing both. Yoga also keeps you relaxed from the stress that comes along with adding a new member to the family.

Low-impact Aerobics: It is the most enjoyable way to stay in shape. It would be great to do it at a nearby gym but can also be done in the privacy of your home by following instructions from a CD.

Pilates: It is a form of exercise which targets the tummy and Pelvic Floor muscles. These muscles normally weaken during pregnancy. Many Pilate exercises are performed in a hand and knee position. This helps to take a lot of stress off your back and pelvis. At the end of Pregnancy, it can help you to position your baby for delivery.

Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore While Exercising

No matter what your fitness level is, you should stop exercising as soon as you observe any signs of Dizziness, Faintness, Uterine Contractions, Vaginal Bleeding, Fluid Leakage or Heart Palpitations. You are requested to consult your doctor immediately.

So, make exercise a part of your daily routine not only throughout Pregnancy but also later. If you are unable to exercise continuously, you can break the session into two or three parts. The key is not to get stressed while exercising.