Start Exercising: Easing into a Fitness Routine

It doesn't have to be Olympic training, but finding the right workout for you now is the best way to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

woman working out

When you have a big baby project in the works it's important to be as physically prepared as possible. (Would you try running a marathon without first getting in tip-top shape? Didn't think so.) Tuning and toning your body for pregnancy — and labor — through exercise may make it easier for you to conceive (and not just because you'll have more energy and stamina for the act that gets you there). It can improve your mood (releasing those happy hormones, endorphins), reduce stress, and encourage healthy sleep. Getting and staying fit can also help soothe pregnancy symptoms (like backaches, fatigue, and swelling), reduce excess weight gain, and even minimize the chances of developing gestational diabetes. Need another reason to lace up your gym sneakers? Regular exercise during pregnancy may also ease your labor and delivery (and what's not to like about that?).

If you don't have a regular workout routine, preconception is a good time to start one (since it'll be a lot easier to start exercising now than when you're throwing up — or when you've got a huge belly to contend with). Don't know where to begin? Talk to your practitioner about which exercise choices are right for you and then ramp up your activity level at a slow but steady pace. Try low-impact aerobics such as swimming, walking, or pedaling a stationary bike, or sign up for a yoga or Pilates class, all of which will get your energy up, your blood flowing, and your body ready to make a baby. If you're already following a regular routine you can likely keep it up as long as it feels good.

What if you're already a die-hard fitness fan? In some cases, extreme exercise can impair your chances of getting pregnant by interfering with your menstrual cycle. In men, overexercising can reduce sperm count. But there are ways to strike a healthy balance and tone down your workouts so that body-buffing doesn't interfere with baby-making.