It's time to put the ratty old gym shirt to rest! A mom-to-be switches up her exercise routine so why shouldn't she change her clothes? Rather than raid her hubby's closet for bulky sweats that accommodate a burgeoning belly, a woman can find maternity wear that offers functional style for trips to the gym.
Expectant mamas who logged hours and miles at the gym prior to pregnancy don't have to give it up when there is a baby on the way. In fact, doctors continue to tout the health benefits of pregnancy exercise for both mom and baby. But the mom-to-be should be aware of how their workout will change as their bump continues to grow.
One of our girls on the FitSugar team knows the ins and outs of prenatal exercise and is sharing her knowledge in The Pregnancy Posse group over in LilSugar's Community. Check out some of her latest posts to learn more about working out while with child.
Want to talk pregnancy with other expectant mamas? Get the conversation started in The Pregnancy Posse group!
Exercise may be the last thing on a mommy-to-be's mind, but a few minutes at the gym can go a long way during pregnancy and beyond. Sweating it out not only helps control weight gain, but it also can build the stamina for labor and delivery. Pregnant women have a few additional rules for staying fit, so take the quiz to see how much you know about exercise and pregnancy.
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?
The benefits of prenatal exercise cannot be doubted. From a better night's sleep and shorter labors to jump-starting postpartum weight loss, exercise should be considered an essential part of an expectant mama's daily routine. However, as the body begins to outgrow your favorite gym clothes, it can be hard to find the perfect pieces to make that visit to the gym or yoga studio comfortable.
Stephanie Teleen, a Vermont-based exercise buff, saw the void in the maternity exercise gear market while pregnant with her two children. When she noticed that the active, athletic maternity-wear market had not grown between her two pregnancies, she got to work creating a line that didn't compromise performance, style or comfort based on its design. Earlier this year she launched Jakfish, maternity active wear that easily moves from the gym to grocery store and the school carpool line. Handmade, the pieces are long enough to cover a growing belly while still wicking moisture from the body and resisting wind during outdoor excursions. The pants feature crossover elastic, ensuring that they won't dig into the belly during a downward dog or a stay on the elliptical machine. They sound comfortable enough to keep wearing even after the baby arrives.
Being pregnant doesn't mean you have to give up exercise. But if marathon training is part of your daily ritual, that's a different story. Here are some ways to keep active while a new life develops inside you.
To learn about three popular prenatal activities, read more
