Don't stop exercising just because you're pregnant
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
The midterms are coming, and if you think the news cycle feels intense now, just wait until the fall. That's why summer is a perfect time to make sure your news diet is calibrated. I'm Ian Martinez. On Up First, we unpack the three biggest stories every morning so you can stay informed and get on with your day in fewer than 15 minutes. Follow or subscribe to Up First today wherever you get podcasts.
Hey, it's Mariel Segarra. You're listening to Life Kit. I have often wondered what pregnant women can actually do in terms of exercise. I got the idea that you're not supposed to lift heavy things or jump around too much. But then there are also women online doing CrossFit at nine months pregnant. LifeKit reporter Andy Tegel was confused about this during her pregnancy.
I remember when I first found out I was pregnant, I had joined this boot camp gym and I'd been going pretty regularly and it was really fun and really hard. But almost immediately after seeing that positive pregnancy test, I stopped going. Wow. Yeah. I mean, not because my doctor told me I couldn't, not because I had read any research. I just seemed like maybe this isn't a good idea. What was your fear? That I might do something to hurt the baby, that like something might happen if I worked out too hard, you know, like if I lifted too heavy or if like I exerted myself too much.
Her family was protective, too. And the idea wasn't just we have to protect the baby, but also we have to protect you.
As soon as we started telling my family, I just felt like there was an immediate cushioning. Cushioning, bordering on coddling. Like, oh, sit down. I got the dishes. Don't worry about that.
Why should pregnant people keep exercising instead of stopping completely?
Put your feet up. It was so early on that I couldn't even see the doctor. The doctors wouldn't see me yet, but it was already like, take a load off was the messaging right away.
Which is nice on the one hand, right? Because you probably get a little tired when you're pregnant.
But it was like, you are delicate now.
But what Andy found in reporting this episode is that pregnant women are not delicate. They can do a lot. And movement, exercise, is great for them.
It's probably not a big surprise now to hear that just like when you're not pregnant, a pregnant person's body, brain, heart benefits from movement. And actually, the recommendation is exactly the same for pregnant people as it is for everyone else. So 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity a week. Mm-hmm. But. The most current research says only 10 to 15 percent of pregnant women actually follow that guidance.
Yeah, this is most of what I hear from friends who are pregnant. They're like, I'll get to that after I give birth.
Yeah, but research shows that exercising regularly throughout pregnancy does not increase your risk of having a miscarriage, of having a small baby, or of having an early baby.
So anyone out there who's like on the fence about keeping up that Pilates class or their strength training? Keep going.
It's not just safe. It's highly recommended for your health and for babies. For starters, it can reduce pregnancy pain and make birth easier. I should note, for the record, that we are not offering medical advice here. You definitely want to check in with your doctor about what's best for your pregnancy. But we did talk to a lot of medical experts who have a lot of great tools to help keep you moving safely.
After the break, how exercising can make pregnancy less painful and make birth easier. Also specific advice and exercises for each trimester.
Waylon, it seems like everything is being called a recession indicator these days.
Yeah, like the box of hamburger helper in my pantry.
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Or the resurgence of press on nails or lipstick or no lipstick. I've lost track.
There is only one way to know if these are actual economic warning signs, though. Listen to The Indicator from Planet Money on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:01–1:49
2
Why should pregnant people keep exercising instead of stopping completely?
1:49–10:39
3
What does research say about safety and benefits of exercise during pregnancy?
10:39–24:02
4
How should I adjust my mindset and activity in the first trimester?
24:02–28:39
5
Which first-trimester exercises help prevent later pregnancy pain?
28:39–32:08
Speakers
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