Experts agree that exercise duril19 pre9l1al1c~ is safe al1d bel1eficial for most pregnant women, if it is done properly. Exercise can be even more beneficial for women who are pregnant in their late 30s and early 40s. It can help you feel more energetic and help you deal more effectively with the demands of pregnancy, career and family. Discuss exercise with your doctor at your first prenatal visit. If you decide later to start exercising or to change your current exercise program, be sure to talk with your physician before you begin.

Some women should not exercise during pregnancy. If you experience any of the following, do not exercise until you have talked with your doctor:

•    a history of incompetent cervix, preterm labor or repeated
•    miscarriages
•    high blood pressure early in pregnancy
•    multiple fetuses (twins, triplets, more)
•    diagnosed heart disease
•    pre-eclampsia
•    vaginal bleeding

In the past, exercise was not always approved for a pregnant woman. Doctors were concerned about the redirection of blood flow from the fetus to the mother's muscles during exercise. We now know this occurs to a small degree, but it is not harmful to the fetus.

Any exercise that involves joint movement forces water in the tissues back into the blood and helps pump blood back to the heart. If your ankles or legs swell, exercise can help with the problem. Stationary bicycling is excellent for relieving these symptoms.