Prenatal Exercise Benefits Baby

by POPSUGAR Moms 0

Let's get physical! The benefits of prenatal exercise have been linked to easier labors, faster postpartum recovery and improved mental health for the mama-to-be. Now, we can add healthier birth weights to that list.

The latest edition of Obstetrics and Gynecology features a study in which researchers have discovered a direct link between exercise during a first pregnancy and a decrease in the odds of delivering a larger baby. According to the study, women who exercise at least three times a week in the second and third trimesters of their first pregnancy reduce the odds of delivering a baby weighing more than 8.8 pounds by as much as 28 percent. Exercise habits before pregnancy did not appear to affect the baby's birth weight.

Many Hollywood mamas-to-be, including Ellen Pompeo, have been seen strutting their post-workout bodies around town throughout their pregnancies and with more performance-based maternity clothes on the market, it is easier than ever to follow suit. How long did you maintain your exercise routine while expecting?