Exercise and Pregnancy…What You Need to Know

Article Courtesy of March of Dimes For many women, exercise is an important part of their lives, and they want to continue being physically active during pregnancy. In most cases, they can. Many studies have demonstrated that, in low-risk pregnancies, moderate or even vigorous exercise is safe for the baby. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that most pregnant women participate in 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise on most, if not all, days. Reg

Fit Pregnancy for Dummies

Fit Pregnancy for Dummies

“…this comprehensive book is for you…all aspects of exercise in pregnancy are covered…” (Health & Fitness, October 2004)

“…practical advice on all aspects of pregnancy…” (Yoga & Health, September 2004)

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Good book for beginners.
I think this book is good for people who are new to exercising. I know it’s a “Dummies” book, but it had too much basic information for me. I ended up returning it.

I am looking for a book that will modify my current workout, and include some new exercises to keep me fit during my pregnancy. If you have a recommendation, please contact me. Thanks

4 Stars Helpful
The book gave very good tips on where to find different activities to do while pregnant. It also includes help for those who haven’t worked out before. Not as much help for someone who was very athletic prior to becoming pregnant. It is really for those who have no or limited knowledge of working out.

5 Stars Awesome Resource
As a fitness enthusiast and mother of three, I loved the peace of mind I got from reading this book. I’ve been exercising all my life and didn’t want to stop when I got pregnant. Cram and Drenth offer a no-nonsense approach to staying fit and healthy from the first trimester to the last. I highly recommend this book.

Anne Connor

Fitness writer and Editor of ANEW Magazine

Middleton, Wisconsin

5 Stars Accurate and accessible
Finally…a fitness guide which accurately covers topics for those women anticipating pregnancy, or who are currently pregnant or post-partum. Too often, pregnancy guides tend towards a patronizing tone and as a physical therapist I find them hard to recommend. This thorough text encourages a woman to trust in herself while giving pointers for seeking professional guidance when necessary. The uplifting tone elevates women thereby encouraging them to begin or continue an active pregnancy both for the benefit of themselves and their babies.

5 Stars An essential for any pregnant exerciser.
Even today many doctors are uneducated and uninformed about exercise and pregnancy. Fit Pregnancy for Dummies is an invaluable resource that can alleviate anxiety one might have about exercising during pregnancy. Expert Catherine Cram provides a wealth of information based on the latest research, numerous ideas and examples for, and motivation, for helping one make healthy decisions about exercising during pregnancy. As a fitness professional and a new mom I have a special appreciation for this work.

Ellen Karpay-Brody

Fitness Consultant and Author of The Everything Total Fitness Book

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Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year A Guide to Health and Comfort Before and After Your Baby Is Born

Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year A Guide to Health and Comfort Before and After Your Baby Is Born

.. a classic since 1976. Like good wine, it has become enriched with age… improves with each revision. — BookMarks, International Childbirth Education Association, Minneapolis

An encyclopedia of information so well written…difficult to put down once started…it leaves no question unanswered. — Family Journal

An encylopedia of information so well written that it is difficult to put it down …leaves no question unanswered. — Family Journal, Jan-Feb 1982

Elizabeth Noble is a writer and teacher extraordinaire. — Jane Frahm, PT, Past-President: Section on Women’s Health, American Physical Therapy Association

Essential Exercises undoubtedly presents the role of physical therapy during pregnancy and postpartum in the most complete fashion. — Raul Art, MD, Author: ACOG Guidelines for Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period, Exercise in Pregnancy, and Pregnancy and Exercise

It has become a classic…like good wine… enriched with age, as Noble improves it with each revision. — BookMarks, ICEA Bookcenter, Minneapolis

Noble stands out dramatically as one of the few women who have significantly improved the health of childearing women… — Doris Haire, President; American Foundation for Maternal and Child Health

This book has faithfully served clinicians and lay persons by providing sound, practical information relating to the childbearing period. — ADVANCE for Physical Therapists

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars nurse midwife reviews
A classic, this is the one and only book for pregnancy. Don’t waste money on the others….real mind-body solid information. A must have!

5 Stars Essential Reading for pregnant women
My favorite part of Elizabeth Noble’s book is the appendix, which contains a list of common ailments and holistic treatments that can be performed on and by pregnant and postpartum women. There is also a very good posture checklist, and a list of essential exercises after cesarean section. I was fascinated by the description of local polarity therapy for the treatment of pubic symphisis, which I suffered from after my first birth, until I gave birth again. (page 219) The author says she has used this treatment successfully for 15 years. That is one of the many things I saw in Essential Exercises that I wish I had known about when I was pregnant or postpartum.

Another essential piece of wisdom in the “wish I’d known that” category is the entire section on abdominal muscles: their structure, function, and vulnerabilities. If only I had known there were corrective isometric exercises that can and should be done in the days immediately after birth to shorten stretched abdominal muscles so they can begin to regain strength and prevent permanent belly bulge.

I appreciate the thorough attention the author gave to helping women understand the importance of a strong pelvic floor and the detailed suggestions for strengthening those muscles. Knowing that a weak pelvic floor can cause many unpleasant quality of life issues, I came away from this book determined to continue strengthening mine and to communicate the importance of PF exercises to my daughters and the women I teach.

4 Stars Great Read!
Every mom-to-be or woman trying to get pregnant should read this book, and do the exercises. It’s got great exercises for pre and post partum, in addition to phsiological information about the birthing process. The post partum exercises begin as easily as pulling your belly button to the spine and can begin the day after delivery the exercises will to regain your lower abdominals and prevent the dreaded muffin-top.

5 Stars essentail exercises for the childbearing years
the book is a good book althought i was a little disappointed becasue there were about 6 pages that didn’t print good and the material printed half on one page and the rest on the other page. aside from that the book it’s is very usefull.

5 Stars Must Have
This book educates women about important exercises during pregnancy and post partem that will give them a new perspective on how their bodies work. In fact, imparting the exercises throughout life from now on would benefit every woman immensely.

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Exercising Through Your Pregnancy

Exercising Through Your Pregnancy

Based on case studies of women who exercised regularly before, during, and after pregnancy, this resource examines the effects of exercise on women and their children. This broad and detailed resource lays to rest the controversies surrounding pregnancy and exercise, shedding new light on the positive interactions of exercise, health, fitness, and pregnancy. This guide enables both expecting mothers and health professionals to develop rational, objective, and individualized approaches to exercise and pregnancy care. Also discussed is the debate surrounding the prescription of strenuous exercise during the process of carrying, birthing, and nursing a baby.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars must have handbook for fitness educators
Dr. Clapp’s book is a book that fitness professionals - especially anyone specializing in exercise for pregnant and/or postpartum women - need to read. The studies are fascinating, especially the concept that not only does exercise helps expectant moms have a healthier pregnancy, but that the state of being pregnant helps the body to become more fit! Interesting info on both the mom and baby.

5 Stars Fascinating & a Fun Read
The first section of this book is actually the best description I’ve read of the physiological changes of pregnancy — and I’ve read a lot! For example, it is NOT just an “old wive’s tale” that fainting is a sign of early pregnancy. Do not worry about monitoring your heart rate as a way to monitor your intensity during exercise. Get the book & find out why! It’s really very interesting & a fun read.

Not only is exercise not harmful to Mom & baby… it is EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL. Find out all the facts (like delivering 5-7 days earlier than healthy, but non-exercising Moms & having a shorter labor with less complications & interventions!) It will motivate you to keep going to the gym!

5 Stars Pregnant Women can safely exercise without anxiety
This book was exactly what I was looking for; research and explanations about exercising safely during pregnancy. It explains why people fear it and it broke down common misconceptions and truths about body temperature, heart rate limitations and the impact of strenuous and moderately strenuous exercise on fetus and mother in previously fit or sedentary mothers. It was really reassuring to me to read that relying on my own perceived exertion with a good way to monitor exertion without fear I was causing harm to my baby. I wish others would catch up on this research and more research would be continued as so many people make fear based negative comments toward active pregnant women.

5 Stars Prenatal exercise research
Dr. James F. Clapp is brilliant and our foremost research scientist on pregnancy and exercise. Without him we would not know quite how important prenatal exercise is. He has proven all of my own theories correct and much more. I can’t wait for the rest of his research to be published. Mom’s need to know how much healthier they and their babies can be with exercise. I included his research in my own book, Expecting Fitness. Birgitta Lauren, prenatal fitness specialist/author www.expectingfitness.com

3 Stars Not what I was hoping for
Like a lot of people out there, I had heard the myths about working out when you’re pregnant, and was hoping to read about *real* research about what’s truly right for you and your baby.

This book accomplished that goal: it provides an evidence-based description of the benefits of exercise. I now understand that it’s not only OK to keep working out — it’s actually advantageous on a lot of levels.

However, this book could be organized better (it seems to skip around too much) and didn’t quite have the “exercise prescription” that I’m looking for (I’m actually searching now on Amazon to find some other books to buy).

Bottomline, this book is great for informing you about the benefits and safety of exercise during pregnancy (even though the writing is, at times, kind of long-winded), but when it comes down to what to actually *do*, this book falls short.

P.S. The pictures in this book are from, like, 1983 or something, which kind of makes you feel like it’s really not all that up-to-date.

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Exercise for Pregnancy and Beyond A Pilates Based Approach for Women

Exercise for Pregnancy and Beyond A Pilates Based Approach for Women

As a physician, I am impressed by the methodical approach and in-depth knowledge base reflected in Exercise for Pregnancy and Beyond. As a husband, I can attest to its efficacy during each of my wife’s pregnancies and postpartum periods. –A. W. Emch, MD

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars great video
basic, easy, safe and to the point! Great in pregnancy…now just have to find time in my schedule to this! this video and regular walking would be a great way to stay in shape during pregnancy.

5 Stars outstanding teacher
Elizabeth is a giften instructor. Her talent and gentle spirit combine to provide effective, strengthening, yet soothing exercise.

5 Stars Best workout video I have ever tried!
This DVD is great for so many reasons: The instruction is clear and easy to follow, the music is not distracting, workouts are can be done in under an hour, and Elizabeth’s voice is so calming. I feel reborn when I finish the exercises. I strongly recommend this video if you are looking for a workout that will make you feel strong and empowered both physically and mentally.

5 Stars Back Pain Begone
My back feels so much better after only one week! This DVD is excellent. The exercises are clearly introduced and then pieced together in a flowing class that ends in relaxation/meditation.

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Lose post pregnancy weight through diet and exercise!

Lose post pregnancy weight through diet and exercise!Women by nature put on weight during pregnancy and many go on an after pregnancy diet to lose it after the birth. But you may have discovered that it can be very difficult to lose this additional weight unless you also combine exercise after pregnancy with that diet. A combination of dieting and exercise is a much more efficient way of losing post pregnancy weight rather than focusing on an after pregnancy diet alone. For more information on