Pregnant moms: Exercise is good for baby too

by Bethany Sanders (Subscribe to Bethany Sanders's posts) Apr 12th 2008 4:00PM

Categories: Just For Moms, Pregnancy & Birth, Health & Safety, In The News

Moderate exercise is recommended for most pregnant women for its multiple benefits -- weight control, cardiovascular fitness, relief from joint pain and constipation, and to prepare the body for birth (to name a few). Researchers recently discovered another reason for expectant moms to exercise -- it may be good for the baby's heart too.

When pregnant women exercised for 30 minutes three days per week, there was a significant difference both in the rate of the baby's heartbeat as well heart rate variability, when compared to babies of pregnant mothers who did not exercise. Researchers theorize that exercise improves autonomic nervous system controls of the fetus, or, in less scientific terms, babies received health benefits from their mother's workout.

Whether you're a fitness fiend or a reformed couch potato, your pregnancy needs to be taken into consideration when you workout. The American Pregnancy Association has some tips for exercising safely while you've got a bun in the oven.

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