Some may think being pregnant means you can't keep exercising vigorously. Well, Olympian Alysia Montano disproved that myth when she completed an 800-meter race for a championship meet in Sacramento today. Talk about wow! I idolize this woman for going for it with her beautiful bump hanging out for everyone to see.
Of course, she is the exception to the rule. She's an Olympic athlete and a five-time USA champion for goodness sake. So, not just any pregnant woman can do what she can. In the interview above, Montano defends her decision to run at this stage of her pregnancy. Being fully aware of the flak she might get for doing so, she explains how she carefully consulted with her doctor and husband.
Even with science on her side, I'm not surprised to see negative reader comments from some of the news articles, because of the lack of knowledge those people have about pregnancy and exercise. I also noticed many of the judgmental comments came from readers who were clearly men. All I have to say, if you don't have a uterus, you should probably think twice before showing your ignorance.
Most obstetricians will tell you most pregnant women can continue their regular exercise regimen, as long as this has always been part of their routine. That means you sporadic exercisers shouldn't take up high-impact aerobics out of the blue, if you know you are expecting. But if you jog daily, there's no reason to give that up. Obviously, women who have high risk pregnancies and other health complications should consult their doctor before continuing any physical activity. Bottom line for anything during pregnancy: ask a medical professional...and surfing the web doesn't count!
I did aerobics and yoga when I was pregnant with my son. While they were both prenatal programs, the aerobics class was still pretty vigorous and a good cardiovascular work out. I would have continued working out up until my due date, but my water broke a week early! In fact, I credit staying active for my speedy recovery post C-section; four days after my procedure, I was walking around and climbing stairs like it was any other day.
I remember knowing several women in aerobics class that kept coming even on their actual due date. One even had her water break in the middle of exercising! Not that this is an ideal way to kick off labor, but the point is that you can enjoy doing what you love -- including exercise -- up until you can't.
More good articles on pregnancy and fitness:
Myths and Facts: Exercising While Pregnant
Running During Pregnancy
The Truth About Prenatal Exercise
The Best Kinds of Exercises for Pregnancy
