by Barnaby Meins

Created on: January 10, 2008

Undeniably, keeping a pregnant woman fit is a pretty complicated process because any exercise program has to be customized individually. A healthy and vigorous workout for one could be risky to another. These dangers are more apparent in a pregnant woman, who not only has to avoid unnecessary strains and serious side effects from carrying the child, but also has to prevent any harm done to the foetus.

Keeping fit by exercise done in a usual and regular manner will not have an adverse effect on the general state of the pregnancy and delivery. Critical factors to consider for the exercise program are the type, frequency, intensity and duration of the exercise activity. Keeping fit during her pregnancy is very important because the would-be mother must be prepared for the delivery of a healthy baby. However, complications have to be prevented at all costs.

In short, the key fact for keeping fit during pregnancy is the pregnant woman should not be forced to do vigorous work but she should not also stay sedentary until she gives birth. During the course of pregnancy, a pregnant woman's condition varies according to the development of the foetus in her womb. That will also determine what kind of activities she can do. Consequently, it is vital that proper health advice be given by her doctor.

For those who are not sure of why pregnant woman should put in some effort in doing some modest exercise in a regular basis to stay fit, described in more details below are basic benefits of exercise during pregnancy:

-Increase oxygen and glycogen supplied-
Muscle contraction requires glycogen; a complex carbohydrate built up by the body which is then stored muscles and liver. The supply of glycogen in the muscles determines and limits the period of activity. Exercise uses up the glycogen store in the muscles, leading to tiredness. Oxygen is needed to break down the carbohydrate and other side products to produce energy.

Yet, rapidly depleted stores of glycogen and oxygen due to exercise is replenished in greater amount than what was required previously because the body has realized the need for more energy supply. With the body in a better position to produce more energy, a pregnant woman is able to carry out any activities, including delivery, in a more effortless manner

-Increased fatigue resistance-
One should take not that that exercise improves the muscle condition of the pregnant woman and increase their ability to carry out any daily activity like walking or cooking without

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