Their recommendations are that all healthy women with healthy fetus' have at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, every day, from the earliest onset of their known pregnancy throughout the entire pregnancy until the birth of their child.
"Women with uncomplicated pregnancies should be encouraged to engage in aerobic and strength-conditioning exercises before, during, and after pregnancy."
As a Childbirth Educator and a Certified Doula I have always taught that it is important for pregnant women seeking a better birth, to have aerobic activity every day. I always suggest a brisk walk for one hour, every day of the week. The proper diet and caloric intake coupled with a one-hour brisk walk will not only help maintain proper weight gain for the full 40-42 weeks of pregnancy, but it will strengthen a mother's endurance, her muscles and make her healthier over all.
The added benefits to this regimen is that it "reduces the risk of gestational diabetes in obese women, and enhances psychologic well-being", according to ACOG.
ACOG concludes there is no evidence of harm to mother or baby when not contraindicated (see chart) and observational studies of women who exercise during pregnancy have shown benefits such as decreased cesarean and operative vaginal delivery (vacuum and forceps), and postpartum recovery time.
To learn more about nutrition during pregnancy and other important topics for a better pregnancy and childbirth it is recommended that you take a childbirth education class between week 12-15 for optimal results. Although taking an education class at any point in your pregnancy is important, I highly recommend the sooner you take your classes the better. The earlier you begin learning the important information, the more time you will have to apply the topics to your life and receive the most benefits.
