Exercising is good for you and good for your baby, and most women benefit greatly from exercising throughout their pregnancies. However, the same exercising regimen isn’t right for every woman who is pregnant. In part, your pre-pregnancy fitness level will dictate how much and what type of exercise you can handle during pregnancy. Before starting any exercise routine, it is important to first identify what type of exercise is right for you.

Whether you had a vigorous routine before pregnancy or had never worked out a day in your life, it is vital for both the safety of you and your baby to start slow and work your way up to a more intense workout. For starters, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes (that's 2½ hours) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week for healthy women who were not highly active or doing vigorous activity before pregnancy.

If you were already active before becoming pregnant, you may continue your normal exercise routine but at a lesser level of intensity. For example, if you were jogging 3 miles five times a week, you might want to try jogging 1.5 miles instead. At any cost, it is imperative to discuss your fitness goals/plans with your healthcare provider beforehand. They will be able to offer tips for maintaining a healthy exercise regimen and, of course, a healthy pregnancy.

Benefits of Exercise During Pregnancy:

You Feel Better - Exercising can boost energy levels, which is something you will definitely need during your pregnancy! It can also alleviate pregnancy-related back pain, improve posture, and help prevent wear and tear on joints.

Prepares Your Body for Birthing - Strong muscles and a healthy heart can greatly ease labor and delivery.

You Look Better - Exercise increases blood flow to your skin, resulting in a healthy glow.

Always take into account the opinions and concerns of your healthcare provider. If at any time they see it unfit for you to continue regular exercise, cease your routine until you are told otherwise. While exercising during pregnancy is healthy and beneficial, it can be dangerous should any complications occur.