QuestionHello, I am about 14 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child. I am 5'5" and 200lbs (the delivery weight I was at with my second child). My doctor is okay with my exercising during pregnancy but hasn't offered specific ideas or plans. I am considering a vbac & want to be healthy & strong as I can be before delivery to ease recovery (even if I end up with another c section). Could you help me with more specific guidelines? Thanks, Stephanie
AnswerFitness walking will be the best option for you. Wear a comfortable and supportive fitness shoe. Work up to being able to walk at a brisk pace for 30 minutes straight. Keep your intensity of exercise at a moderate level, never get to the point where you feel out of breath, or are panting.
Fitness walking on most days of the week will offer both you and your developing baby important health benefits. You will dramatically reduce your chances of developing gestational diabetes, strengthen your immune system, greatly reduce the risk of all other pregnancy and labor complications, and reduce the amount of weight that you gain during this pregnancy. Because walking is an endurance exercise, it will greatly help your body prepare for labor and delivery.
If you have access to a gym with a pool, water aerobic classes are also a good choice for you.
Since you are well over your ideal body weight, you do not have to increase your calorie intake, or put on any additional fat storage. Get a referral from your OBGYN to a registered dietician who can help you develop an eating program for your pregnancy that will insure that your getting proper nutrition in the proper amounts.
