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Pregnancy : Exercises To Stay Fit And Healthy

Pregnancy : Exercises To Stay Fit And Healthy

Pregnancy exercise

Keeping fit during your pregnancy is great for you, not only will it help you keep your body toned but it also can help when it comes time to push that baby out. Every pregnant woman wants to be able to go back to her pre-pregnancy weight after the baby is born, but the only way to do that is to make sure you can. By excising or working out every day you are making sure you don't add fat to your body. During labor it'll be much easier to push the baby if you've been strengthening your leg and stomach muscles. Who knows, it may even make labor a little bit shorter. Isn't that what we all want?

Plus when you are tired and just feeling a little blue, just by exercising you actually increase your energy. Energy during pregnancy is something you will most certainly need in excess. And pregnancy exercise can get you that needed boost.

Here are a few quick things you can do to stay fit during pregnancy, without really having to break out a sweat. I'm sure by now you've heard of yoga, this is a very good thing for you to practice, especially if you haven't always been in the best of shape. Not to worry, there are beginning levels here, you don't have to jump into the human pretzel right away. Try purchasing a set of small weights that you can use throughout the house, like hand weights or wrist weights that can use while walking. Instead of just laying on the couch while you rest you can be lifting small weights.

Pregnancy : What About Those Stretch Marks ?

Pregnancy: What About Those Stretch Marks ?

The minute you find out you are pregnant you know things are going to be changing, from your waist size to those little pregnancy stretch marks that pop up on your belly. Stretch marks are exactly that, red or purple marks left in your skin because it has stretched. The most common areas for it to appear is the buttocks, thighs, stomach, breasts and even arms. Ninety percent of all pregnant women will get them, whether they get a lot or a few depends on the body and how they are preventing them.

Get a chair and try doing a couple crunches, 5 to 10 in the beginning to make sure you don't pull anything. Don't worry you can always add to it as the weeks go on. You can take it nice and slow, but just make the effort to begin a routine.

Dads and Doulas
Lately I've heard a lot of pregnant women talking about how they wanted a doula but that they weren't sure that dad wanted a doula.� Doulas can be very beneficial for dads as well as moms.� Here's one dad's story of how a doula served his family and why men should demand a doula. Related: 5 Reasons Dads Should Demand a Doula Reasons to Have a Doula How does your man feel about having a doula? Why should you hire a doula? From DONA International: Dads & Doulas Dads and Doulas originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 at 09:29:25.Permalink | Comment | Email this
The Best Position for Labor
Awhile ago I had this discussion on my facebook page about what was the best position for labor. I had a lot of great responses. I had a lot of great positions that work well for labor as well as pushing. Some of the highlights of our discussion included: Squatting Deep Knee Chest Lunge Toilet Sitting Sitting on a Glider Laying Over a Birth Ball Hands and Knees I loved what Holly had to say about hands and knees, "...during labour standing, leaning on anything, or on hands and knees rocking back and forth, for pushing...hands and knees! (Sitting up straight every now and then to allow gravity to help.) I tried other positions but always went back to hands and knees." This is so true for so many women, they try a lot of positions and keep coming back to one that feels great. Are these more positions for labor than you considered? If you've had a baby, what position did you find the most comfortable and why? If you're still pregnant, what are you planning on using for labor and birth and why? The Best Position for Labor originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 at 09:27:28.Permalink | Comment | Email this
Free Online Pregnancy eCourses
Need advice on which prenatal tests are right for you or what to pack in labor? Interested in learning how to tell if you are in labor? Maybe you'd like to know when and how an epidural is given. Here are some free online classes in pregnancy and birth, breastfeeding and pregnancy advice. Sign up today, classes start daily! First Trimester Guide Second Trimester Guide Third Trimester Guide Online Childbirth Class Baby Care Basics Baby Shower Planning Guide Breastfeeding Class Online Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Guide Cesarean Section Guide Pregnancy Tips Daily Free Online Pregnancy eCourses originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 09:14:09.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Try running, walking or jogging outside. Not only will this boost up your energy but it'll also help get your spirits up, especially if you've been inside all day. Remember, if you are going for a walk to always bring a drink with you. You don't want to dehydrate out there. Always make sure that you are wearing comfortable shoes, before you leave the house. If you didn't always run, ask your doctor if you can. Sometimes a doctor may suggest you walk around the block at first and increase it from there, if you didn't always do it before you were pregnant.

If you can you may want to try going for a swim or try bicycling. However, if you find that you are accident prone you may want to stay away from the bike. A bike accident is something that can easily happen, even when you've always road a bike. Swimming can help you relax and stay cool. Take a dip in the pool near you, they may even have a swim class for pregnant women in your area. This would be a great way to meet other moms.

Whenever you are doing exercises, make sure you aren't overdoing it. If you believe you could be stop immediately and take a break. You never want to do anything that will harm the pregnancy. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.