What Are the Different Types of Prenatal Exercise?
Since exercise is often seen as a way to maintain or change body form and weight, many women do not consider physical activity to be a necessary or feasible part of pregnancy. This is not true, however. Health experts commonly emphasize the importance of women engaging in regular physical activity while pregnant, for their benefit and for the benefit of their babies. Beneficial prenatal exercises include walking, stretching, and water aerobics. People are commonly encouraged to stretch before indulging in exercise. This is even more important for those who are pregnant. All prenatal exercise routines should begin with an appropriate period of stretching. Generally, that appropriate period is at least five minutes. For pregnant women, however, both standing stretches and mat stretches have been found to be beneficial, even when no other exercise will follow.
