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FAQ's

I haven’t been able to get pregnant. Should I stop exercising? TOP

In most cases, No. Studies show that stress causes women to miss their periods, which prevents us from releasing an egg and getting pregnant. Exercise is a stress RELIEVER. Exercise releases endorphins, which encourages your body to better deal with pain and stress. Additionally, exercise can help to restore your sleep patterns, allowing you to stay rested and in good health. Finally, exercise also allows you a little "time off" from frustrating fertility treatment sessions.

I am going through IVF treatment. What exercises can I do? TOP

Yoga is an excellent format. Yoga poses increase blood flow to certain organs and may help to stimulate ovulation and make the uterus more conducive to conception. Talk with your fertility specialist.

Is it safe for me to work out during pregnancy? TOP
In the last decade there has been some exciting new scientific findings that confirm exercise in not only SAFE, but ESSENTIAL during the childbearing year to lessen or prevent common discomforts, to contribute to better births and recoveries, and to promote better maternal and fetal outcomes.

Is it safe for me to start exercising if I didn’t exercise prior to pregnancy? TOP
Yes, in most cases. As with any exercise program consult with your doctor first. Avoid doing too much too fast. Sign up for a pregnancy exercise class or meet with BB & B for a FREE consult.

I heard that exercise in the first trimester could cause a miscarriage. Is this true? TOP

No, in most cases. If you have had three miscarriages in a row your doctor may ask you to refrain from exercising. Continuing regular, vigorous exercise throughout early pregnancy does not increase your chance of early miscarriage or birth defects per Dr. Clapp. Reports from retrospective questionnaire studies of pregnant runners also indicate that the rate of spontaneous miscarriage is not increased by running in early pregnancy (Cohen et al. 1989; Jarrett and Spellacy 1984: Melpomene Institute and USMS Sports Medicine Research Committee 1989).

Do I really have to keep my heart rate under 140? TOP
Dr. Clapp suggest that during pregnancy you shouldn’t use your heart rate as a means of measuring fitness, health or safety unless you know a lot about your heart rate and its responses to exercise before pregnancy. Using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale is a better index of your exercise intensity than your heart rate.

How will I know my baby is handling me working out? TOP
After exercising your baby should move several times within the first 20 to 30 minutes.

When I exercise I feel some tightening, menstrual like cramps. Is this normal? TOP
Yes. When you are further along in your pregnancy you may feel uterine contractions (menstrual like cramps). They should go away 20 to 30 minutes after exercising. If you continue to feel contractions after 30 minutes or they are getting stronger call your doctor right away!

I have heard a lot about Kegel exercises. What are they? TOP
Kegels, named after Dr. Arnold Kegel, who is credited with uncovering the importance of doing these specific exercises, which help strengthen the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that supports all the contents of the abdominal cavity, including the bladder, bowel, and uterus. By tightening and releasing these group of muscles before and during pregnancy help to improve elasticity and will thus distend more easily during the birth of the baby. Continuing kegel exercises after the birth helps to return your pelvic floor to its pre pregnancy shape and tightness. Each day you should do fifty kegels. Breaking them into ten sets five times a day is more realistic than doing them all at one time.

Will my baby be healthy if I exercise? TOP
Yes. According to Dr. Clapp, babies born to moms that exercise during pregnancy don’t have trouble with transitioning to life outside of the uterus and tend to be more alert and easy to care for. Their growth and development after birth are equal to or better than non-exercised moms. Another benefit to exercising during pregnancy is babies tolerate the stress of contractions during labor.

Is it true that you have to refrain from exercise for six weeks postpartum? TOP
Check with your doctor before starting or resuming an exercise program. Some women may resume their routine within days of giving birth; others may need more time before resuming their pre pregnancy routine. Dr. Clapp advises that if it doesn’t hurt or cause you to bleed heavily, it’s okay. Please note that if you are changing a pad more than once an hour or your bleeding changes to dark red you need to take it easy.

Can moderate exercise postpartum cause breast milk to taste bad? TOP

According to Dr. Clapp, is an international authority on the effects of exercise during pregnancy. While some breastfeeding mothers are concerned that their babies will not like the taste of their breast milk if they exercise, Dr. Clapp found that only high-intensity aerobic exercise affected the taste and moderate exercise did not (Clapp 1998).

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MEDICAL DISCLAIMER - All of the information on this site assumes that the mother-to-be is in good physical and mental health, and that her pregnancy is without risk factors or complications. Web site content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to offer medical advice, or replace the recommendations of your doctor, midwife, or physical therapist. Always consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program.