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A Healthier Pregnancy

Exercise Trends That
Make a Difference

By Teri Brown

Judith Sherman-Wolin, author of Smart Girls Do Dumbbells (Riverhead Books, 2004), believes that weight training or resistance training is beneficial for all women.

"Pregnant women benefit from a weight resistance program, as it helps maintain muscle strength, bones and ligaments," says Wolin. "Exercise also may protect the back from damage done by the natural forward shift in body gravity during pregnancy."

Although Wolin believes weight training is a wonderful form of exercise for women, she cautions that all pregnant women should discuss any exercise program with a physician and avoid lifting anything too heavy. Any exercises done in the prone (face down) position also should be avoided.

"As a woman's pregnancy progresses, she might want to do more of her resistance exercises seated rather than standing to take any additional stress off her back," says Wolin. "She should absolutely never exercise to the point of fatigue, unusual pain or becoming dehydrated."

Wolin believes the best way a woman can prepare for the challenges of motherhood is by getting into shape before she gets pregnant. "The time spent preparing the body for the dramatic changes soon to take place will serve her well before, during and after her pregnancy and might possibly help contribute to bringing into the world a healthier, stronger baby," says Wolin.

Want to see more?

• Get into the Swing of Things: Golfing during Pregnancy
• Mama's Got Biceps: Building Muscle with Strength Training
• Pregnant? It's Not Too Late to Start Exercising
• Talk about it!