Exercising while pregnant, is a welcome break for some athletes, who get to take a break from their rigorous routines and slow things down a bit. For me, it was more of a necessary evil. Wherever you fall on the spectrum of athleticism (or lack there of), it's important to know how to exercise safely with your changing body, and growing baby.

For most women with a healthy, low risk pregnancy, it is safe to maintain whatever level of exercise you were doing before you conceived. So, if you were a runner, you can keep running. If you've never ran before though, pregnancy probably isn't a good time to start. You should also consider the safety of the exercise you're doing. If you are accustomed to doing exercises that put you at a greater risk of falling or being struck, such as mountain biking or competitive soccer, you may want to hold off on those sports until after your baby is born. Instead, you may consider stationary cycling or keeping your soccer skills up with jogging and wall kicks.

Beyond not starting anything new that is rigorous (like running), and avoiding exercises with greater risk of injury, you should also be mindful of how you feel and the environment in which you're exercising. Since you are more easily overheated in pregnancy, you should avoid doing cardio when it's too hot or humid out. Instead, you may want to opt for a brisk early morning or late evening walk. You should also pay attention to what your body is telling you. If you feel pain, can't breath, or feel overly fatigued, take a break! Pregnancy is not the time to push yourself to your limits. Additionally, be mindful to keep hydrated throughout your exercise routine, and to replace calories with healthy snacks, if you're burning through a lot.

Keeping these tips in mind, and  keeping your care provider informed of your exercise rotinue should allow you to have a healthy and fit pregnancy, and possibly even a faster labor and easier recovery!