Exercising While Pregnant For The Third Trimester

As long as you have no medical conditions that prevent exercise, it is safe to continue your exercise program throughout your pregnancy. Many athletes continue to train during their pregnancies""even in the third trimester""with no adverse affects.If you aren't accustomed to exercise, start slow.It is important not to exhaust or overheat yourself.Even a brisk walk offers many health benefits and may ease some of your discomfort.

You may find that you're having trouble continuing your normal exercise routine in the third trimester. If you are unable to lift as many weights or a certain exercise makes you uncomfortable, modify the routine to suit your abilities.Pregnancy can put a lot of strain on your back and joints that your body isn't used to.Make sure you aren't over-exerting yourself.

During the second and third trimesters, avoid exercising flat on your back for long periods of time.Doing so can reduce the flow of blood to the heart.This includes stretching, yoga and abdominal exercises.Abdominal exercises can also traumatize the fetus and should be avoided.

As your stomach grows, you may notice a shift in your center of gravity.Many women have a harder time keeping their balance, making their normal activities harder to accomplish.Be careful of activities that could injury you or your baby if you lose your balance.This includes, skiing, bicycling, surfing and horseback riding.

A great alternative to cycling is the stationary bike.A stationary bike provides a good prenatal workout because it doesn't put strain on the joints and it is appropriate for all fitness levels.Beginners can build up their endurance gradually without exhausting themselves and advanced riders can continue their normal routines.

Running can be continued into the third trimester of pregnancy if you have been running throughout your pregnancy.If you have been sedentary and are looking to improve your fitness before delivery, running is a bad option, as it can cause injury to the joints.A brisk walk carries many of the same aerobic benefits as running and is gentler on the body.Many runners find that they can't run as fast or as far in their third trimesters.Listen to your body and stop before you become exhausted.It is normal to cut back your fitness routine as your pregnancy progresses.

Many gyms offer prenatal aerobics classes for pregnant women.These classes are a good alternative to traditional high-impact aerobics, which may put too much strain on your joints during your last trimester.If you are accustomed to high-impact aerobics, it is safe to continue your routine throughout your pregnancy, though you may want to modify some of the moves as your pregnancy progresses.Monitor your center of gravity, as you may find some of the moves harder to do as your balance shifts.Let your instructor know that you are pregnant.She may be able to give you suggestions on modifying the routine.

No matter what activities you choose, it is important for pregnant women to exercise moderately for 20 to 30 minutes 2 to 3 times per week.Make sure to keep your body fueled with plenty of complex carbohydrates to give you energy and fight fatigue.Carry a bottle of water and drink often to keep your body hydrated.

Remember, some activities may be difficult as your pregnancy progresses.Listen to your body and stop whenever you feel dizzy or fatigued.Never push yourself to exhaustion.Pregnancy is a time to maintain your health and muscle tone, not a time to build muscle.