Forty years ago this would have been a silly question, and the answer would have been a definite NO! Doctors guessed, and I do mean guessed, that exercise could cause all kinds of problems like birth defects and miscarriage.
Today we know better as there has been actual research conducted, and it's still a silly question, but the answer is a resounding YES! Be sure you check with your doctor, because occasionally some high-risk conditions may rule out exercise.
Moderate exercise is good for both you and your baby.
Pregnant women who exercise have fewer aches, more stamina, and more energy.
This is especially true in the third trimester, when it's especially important.
Fit women also seem to have easier labor and fewer C-sections, although there is large variation here.
Being fit doesn't guarantee an easy labor, and some women will have easy labors while other will have prolonged and difficult labors.
What if you are not fit when you get pregnant? Can you start exercising is you are totally out of shape? Yes, you can, and doctors believe that pregnancy is actually a great time to start getting fit.
How long into pregnancy can you exercise? Some women continue until the day of birth, for example walking moderately, but make sure to discuss exercise with your doctor.
You exercise routine may change drastically, for example you might need to skip a few marathons, or it might barely change at all.
After pregnancy women keep up the exercise.
Yes, it's going to be tough, but certainly worth it.