Strength Training and Weight Lifting During Pregnancy

Research has firmly established strength and resistance training benefits for your physical and mental health. Lifting weights may be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about strength training. This can also include using resistance bands, kettlebells, and body-weight exercises like pushups, pull-ups, or squats. Even activities like plyometrics and yoga can be considered strength training. Although there is a lot of research on exercise during pregnancy, there are limited studies on strength training. ACOG attributes the lack of literature to resistance training not being considered a safe activity in early guidelines for exercise during pregnancy. This was due to potential injury and possible fetal heart decelerations. This episode examines the evidence on strength training, physical changes that can affect strength training, and precautions and tips to make your workouts safe during pregnancy.   You can read the full article and resources that accompany this episode by clicking here.   Join Pregnancy Podcast Premium to access the entire back catalog, listen to all episodes ad-free, and more.   For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website.

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A resource to support expecting moms (and partners, too!) with evidence-based information to navigate the awesome adventure of pregnancy, birth, and being a new parent. Vanessa Merten provides evidence based info that goes way beyond the typical “pregnancy instruction manual”. Every episode is designed to give you all of the evidence, research, pros, cons, risks, and benefits – all so you decide what the best option is for YOU and feel confident about your decisions during your pregnancy and beyond. The show covers everything from pregnancy to caring for a newborn. Topics include prenatal care, labor, natural birth, hospital birth, cesarean birth, preparing for your baby, breastfeeding, postpartum, and caring for a new baby. This is your​ evidence-based resource to help you make informed decisions about your pregnancy and your baby.