Health Tip: Exercising During Pregnancy

First, make sure you check with your doctor

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(HealthDay News) -- Assuming your doctor approves, exercise can help keep you healthy and feeling good during pregnancy.

While you should avoid strenuous activity, light exercise can offer many benefits during pregnancy.

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The Nemours Foundation offers this partial list:

• Feeling better, having more energy, and getting better sleep at night.
• Reduced back pain and improved posture from stronger back, thigh and buttock muscles.
• Reduced stress and anxiety.
• Reduced risk of constipation.
• Less weight gain during pregnancy, and a quicker return to your pre-pregnancy weight.

Your body should tell you if it's had enough. Stop exercising immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Fatigue.
• Dizziness.
• Heart palpitations.
• Shortness of breath.
• Pain in your back or pelvis.

-- Diana Kohnle