Staying Fit: Cape Resident Benefits from Exercise During Pregnancy

Alecia Robert didn't let her pregnancy put her exercise routine on hold. She worked out regularly at HealthPoint Fitness in Cape.

She says the exercise made for an easier pregnancy. "I felt better with this pregnancy at age 43 than when I was pregnant at 23," notes Robert who has three sons. Her oldest is 19 years of age. Her youngest is 3 months old.

Braedyn Robert was born on September 29, 2009. Alecia Robert says she continued to exercise almost right up to the date of delivery. "I did BODYPUMP™ on a Friday and Braedyn was born on the following Tuesday," she recalls.

Robert says she didn't experience back pain during this pregnancy, unlike her two previous pregnancies. She credits her exercise regimen for helping to keep her back pain free.

Fitness classes helped strengthen her upper and lower back, she says. That was particularly important in dealing with the shift in her center of gravity as her pregnancy progressed, she notes.

She says her exercise routine helped her feel better overall. "I didn't notice the little aches and pains commonly associated with pregnancy nearly as much," she points out.

The Cape Girardeau resident says exercising also gave her a boost in energy, especially during her first trimester.

She participated in BODYPUMP two or three times a week throughout her pregnancy. She modified the workouts as suggested by Amy Sutherlin, MSA, HFS, HealthPoint Fitness Manager.

Sutherlin says exercise, when done in moderation, can ease and prevent aches and pains of pregnancy. "BODYPUMP is a great way for physically active women to maintain a healthy and strong body during and after pregnancy. Talk to your BODYPUMP instructor if you have questions about your technique or modifications and let your doctor know if you have any problems," she advises.

Robert says she checked first with her obstetrician/gynecologist, Jacob P. Pyeatte, MD, before engaging in the workouts.

Robert says it's also important for women to let their instructors know if they are pregnant. The instructors will advise them on what are safe exercises to do during pregnancy.

Dr. Pyeatte says healthy women who are physically active before pregnancy typically can continue exercising in moderation. He advises patients to check with their doctor before engaging in any type of exercise program. Low-impact exercises are the safest, he says. "I think exercise is excellent for strengthening abdominal muscles," he adds.

As for Robert, she continues to exercise. She wants to be as active a mother now as she was with her first two sons. "I want to be the same mom at 43 as I was at 23," she says.