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And learning the happy news may soon be replaced with anxious what now questions – particularly around the issue of physical exertion.
And since exercise is an essential component of staying healthy during pregnancy, knowing exactly what is safe and what is not becomes a huge question mark.
We've pooled everything you need to know, from how much exercise is too much, benefits, and kinds of exercises in one easy to access page.
Guidelines
Exercise guidelines for moms-to-be
Scaling back on your normal routine can be challenging when pregnant. Here are some tips on how to keep doing what you love without harming your baby. By Amy Froneman
Pregnant? Exercise all you like
Exercise during pregnancy, while healthy for both mother and baby, has only a minor impact on an infant's birth weight. By Joene Hendry, Reuters
Exercise guidelines: what you need to know
Here's how to stay safe while exercising while pregnant. By Amy Froneman
Help pregnancy aches and pains
Osteopathy is one way to address those achy-breaky muscles and joints. By Dr. Guy Ashburner
The pros and cons of pregnancy weight loss
Your weight gain during pregnancy could affect your baby. By Amy Norton
The benefits of exercise
Benefits of exercising during pregnancy
How exercise benefits mom and baby. By Amy Froneman
Can I be fit and pregnant?
There are countless benefits to keeping fit during pregnancy, not only for you as a mom, also for your baby. By Tracey Hawthorne
Dos and Don'ts
Exercises you should do during pregnancy
Some exercises that are good for you while pregnant. By Amy Froneman
Top 5 exercise dos and don'ts
You want to do the best you can for you and your growing baby, but you've been bombarded with mixed messages. What exercises can you do? Should you stretch? We've simplified it for you. By Schalk van der Merwe, Biokineticis, Your Pregnancy
Training by trimester
First trimester exercises
These exercises will get you and your baby off to a happy, healthy nine months. Your Pregnancy
Second trimester exercises
These easy exercises will ensure that you get an essential 30-minutes-a-day workout to keep you and baby healthy through the second trimester. Your Pregnancy
How-tos
How to stay fit and healthy while pregnant
Staying active can be hard when you're pregnant but it's not impossible!
How to do kegels
Squeeze and... release, over and over again. By Hilda Geyer
How to do Kegel exercises
Firm up and tone your pelvic floor muscles with Kegel exercises. Your Pregnancy
How to not pull a muscle in pregnancy
One wrong move and you can end up in pain. Our biokineticist tells us how to get up, bend down and move around safely. By Schalk van der Merwe, Biokineticis, Your Pregnancy
Workout routines: Pilates, running, weight training and more
WATCH: 6 best exercises for runners during pregnancy
Regardless of your mileage while running for two, these moves will keep you strong before and after delivery. Runner's World magazine
8 Tips for running during and after pregnancy
What to expect when you’re expecting and what to be aware of post-birth — and how to deal with it all.
Great weight training exercises for pregnant women
Being pregnant doesn’t mean that you have to stop your weight or circuit training. YP offers practical advice on safe gym training.
Core stomach exercises
Your core stomach muscles will play a big role during labour. How can you exercise this area safely?
Pilates in pregnancy
An easy way to stay active in pregnancy is with Pilates: a mind/body way of exercising that works on the most important muscles that you will use during pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
Water exercises: buoyant bellies
As your belly expands, keeping up with regular exercise becomes a challenge. Feel the bliss of slipping into the pool for a weightless water workout.
Excercises to prepare your body for breastfeeding
Get your body ready for the strains that breastfeeding can sometimes put on it.
Pregnancy exercise: Work those legs
Easy exercises for strong, toned limbs in every pregnant woman.
3 pregnancy workouts
Here's how to start your pregnancy fitness journey.
Walk yourself fit
Taking a stroll is more beneficial than you may think.
Prepare your body for birth
Do these quick exercises to prepare your muscles for the work of carrying and nurturing a baby.
Exercise to ease aches and pains
Pregnancy causes huge changes to your body, and you're going to feel certain strains. Here are some exercises to help beat aches of pregnancy.
Stretches to do during pregnancy
Stretching exercises can be very beneficial during pregnancy, improving strength, stamina, suppleness and relaxation. Here are a few stretching techniques.
Yoga
Yoga sense
If practised correctly prenatal yoga can help you have a natural birth and a stress-free pregnancy.
Yoga for pregnancy and birth
Yoga during my pregnancy and labour helped me feel more focused, says this mom of 2.
Some yoga postures to try at home
Simple and easy yoga poses to try in the comfort of your own home.
Doing yoga while you're pregnant
Yoga is a good way to prepare your body for birth. Whether you are completely new to yoga or have done it before, check with your doctor or midwife before you begin. Here are some tips.
Find a balance with prenatal yoga
The benefits of physical fitness for birth and post-birth recovery.
Fitspiration
Why you shouldn’t be afraid of exercising when pregnant
“Knowing I was strong helped me beat the fear of birth.” Tash King shares her pregnancy workout plan with us.
Exercising for two
Fitter than ever, this mom-to-be did not let pregnancy slow her down too much.
Inspiring yoga pregnancy time-lapse video
Yoga enthusiast mom releases remarkable pregnancy time-lapse video.
How Yoga Helped This Woman Cope With Her Pregnancy
“I did a yoga class the day before I gave birth.” Adelline Malema shares her yoga journey before, during and after her pregnancy.
All pregnancies look different
Fitness model shows that healthy pregnancies look different on all women.
Fit and pregnant?
A mom reveals her secret to keeping off the baby weight.
Being fit has helped this ballerina
Pregnant and a professional ballet dancer, Sarah King proves that anything is possible when you’re expecting.
Top tips
Move it maternity!
Try these tips to remain active safely while doing the chores at home.
A fitter pregnancy
Three simple steps to keep you healthy.
WATCH: Can occupational therapy help during pregnancy?
Talking occupational therapy with Lesego Mashishi-Matlala.
Is it safe to swim during pregnancy?
Swimming is extremely beneficial during pregnancy. Here are some tips to get you off the starting block.
Share your comments, advice, stories and concerns around pregnancy and fitness by emailing to chatback@parent24.com and we might publish your letter.
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