Pregnancy Symptoms and Pregnancy Care and Pregnancy Tips

Pregnancy is a natural process. Naturally body changes will also be involved once a woman is pregnant. Most women don’t face much complication throughout their pregnancy period though some might have to face few difficulties. Most women experience mood swings, fear and anxiety throughout their pregnancy period. Pregnancy is the time filled with anticipation, happiness and excitement. Most women start experiencing symptoms within a week and some others might experience after few weeks of conception.

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Pregnancy lasts for 40 weeks or nine months which is divided into three trimesters. Pregnancy is counted from the first day of woman’s last period. The signs and symptoms of pregnancy vary in intensity, duration and frequency from woman to woman.
The early signs of pregnancy are as follows:

1. Missed period

2. Breast tenderness

3. Fatigue

4. Frequent urination

Get a physical.

Before spending a year trying to get pregnant, it’s a good idea to have a thorough physical examination, according to Sanford M. Markham, M.D., an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. “Make sure that there aren’t any physical problems, such as masses or cysts in the pelvic area,” he says. “Your doctor should also treat any low-grade vaginal infections that you might have. He or she should also check for sexually transmitted diseases.” Other conditions that can interfere with pregnancy are ovarian cysts, fibroids, and endometriosis, an inflammation of the lining of the uterus, Markham says.

Have sex around the time of ovulation.

The woman’s egg is capable of being fertilized for only 24 hours after it is released from the ovary, according to Richard J. Paulson, M.D., an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and director of the In Vitro Fertilization Program at the University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles. The man’s sperm can live for between 48 and 72 hours in the woman’s reproductive tract. Since sperm and egg must come together for an embryo to be created, a couple must try to have sex at least every 72 hours around the time of ovulation (see Extra! Extra! – “Methods of Ovulation Prediction”) in order to hit the mark, Paulson says. “Every 48 hours is even better,” he says. However, he adds, the man should not ejaculate more frequently than once in 48 hours, since that may bring his sperm count down too low for fertilization.

Men should ejaculate every two to three days.

Along with the advice to have sex no more often than once every 48 hours, men should also try to ejaculate at least once every two to three days throughout the month, says Bergh. Men need to keep ejaculating to keep up their sperm supply, he adds.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The best way to enhance your chances of getting pregnant is to maintain an all-around healthy lifestyle. This goes for both men and women, says William C. Andrews, M.D., executive director of the American Fertility Society and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. “A healthy lifestyle will also help ensure the quality of your offspring,” Andrews says.

Try to eliminate stress.

“There is little doubt that severe stress will interfere with reproductive function,” says Paulson. “At the simplest level, stress will take away your libido. At the extreme, the woman may stop menstruating. Although studies in men are lacking, it is quite likely that a similar effect may occur.”

Keep the testicles cool.

Exposure to extreme heat can be the death of sperm–literally. (That’s why the testicles are outside of the body–to keep them cool.) Bergh’s advice for maintaining the proper temperature is to wear boxer shorts (if you find them comfortable) and to avoid hot tubs and whirlpools. Taxicab and truck drivers will benefit from the use of a beaded seat mat that allows air to circulate. “There was an old Indian fertility ritual where the men used to dip their testicles in cold water,” says Bergh. “They had the right idea.” Varicose veins in the testicles can also interfere with temperature regulation. If you have these, see a urologist, Bergh suggests.

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Track Your Pregnancy

Going through a pregnancy can be a very challenging period in a woman’s life. As the pregnancy moves from the initial phase towards the more complex stages of development of the womb, several changes begin to occur in the mother’s body. While these changes are completely normal and none of them are threatening or dangerous in any way, they can be very uncomfortable and emotionally traumatic. This usually occurs when the mother in question is not aware of the possibility of these symptoms, changes, and miscellaneous events occurring. When a potential mother is well educated about everything that is likely to occur during each one of the relevant stages, there is every possibility that that the transitions from one stage to the next will be completely seamless and tension free. This is where the importance of good information and education comes into the picture. The stages of pregnancy are complicated but the advantage is that there is a vast repository of information available about them. The stages of pregnancy are well-documented with almost every single contingency having being recorded at some point. To surmise, the easiest way to put all of your fear to rest and be as prepared for the different stages of your pregnancy as is possible, it is imperative to educate yourself on how to track the progress of your pregnancy.

The Australian Pregnant Book has been written by Dr. Derrick Thompson. Dr. Thompson is one of the most experienced gynaecologists in Australia and has delivered thousands of babies during his long career. Dr. Thompson has created this wonderful resource for all potential mothers. What separates this book from the myriad of other literature available is that Dr. Thompson has specifically focused on Australia-centric issues, thereby creating the first pregnancy resource that deals primarily with the needs of Australian mothers. For more information about what topics are covered in The Australian Pregnancy Book as well as information on how to order the book, please visit www.thepregnantbook.com.

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Your Questions on Menstruation After Pregnancy Answered

Post pregnancy life or life after pregnancy brings so many questions; one of them is about menstruation care after pregnancy. You are constantly wondering as to when you will get your first period after pregnancy.

Many women mistake the bloody discharge after delivery for period. That discharge, however, is not your period, but all the additional fluid coming out of your uterus. This discharge can last from one to two months and women do need to wear pads to avoid staining their clothes.

The start of your menstrual cycle after pregnancy depends upon different factors, like your hormonal composition and breast-feeding. Women who do not breast-feed may get their first period after pregnancy as soon as one month.

On the other hand, women who breast-feed get their menstruation after pregnancy late, the reason being that, the prolactin present in your breast milk tends to suppress the menstruation after pregnancy.

Many women assume that they will not ovulate until the time they do not get their first period after pregnancy. You will be surprised to know that you might start ovulation within a few weeks of your delivery. Therefore, contraception plays an important role in life after pregnancy.

Facts About Menstruation After Pregnancy

Your period after pregnancy will be heavier and painful as compared to your experience before pregnancy.

You might still get PMS, when you resume menstruation after pregnancy.

While you are breast-feeding, be very careful of the birth control methods that you use. Consult your doctor before choosing any. Most doctors suggest barrier methods such as condoms, diaphragm etc.

Moms who are not breast-feeding can choose from a variety of options, like natural menstrual cycle, IUD insertion, contraceptive pills, or barrier methods.

Remember that menstruation after pregnancy is unpredictable. It will differ from woman to woman, and it changes monthly for a woman. It is all a game of hormones and how well your body copes with the changes. There might be women who might not experience any difference in menstruation before and after pregnancy. A cycle that appears normal to you might not be normal for another woman. Every woman has a different menstruation cycle. You need to understand your body very well, in order to understand your menstruation cycle. Do not be anxious about your first period after pregnancy, you will get them when your body is healed and uterus returns to its normal size and starts functioning normally.

Pregnancy brings many changes in you and your menstrual cycle is no exception. There are many changes that you would need to deal with apart from sitting and worrying about your menstruation after pregnancy. You just need to ensure that once you get your periods, then the menstruation care should be proper. Adjusting with the changes and enjoying life after pregnancy should be your motto. As everything else, your menstruation after pregnancy will also start falling in place with time.

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Before a Missed Period – Very Early Symptoms of Pregnancy

When most women think about very early symptoms of pregnancy, they automatically assume that a missed period is the top symptom.

Would you be surprised that a missed period isn’t even in the top 5 very early symptoms of pregnancy?

By the time a woman has noticed a missed period due to a pregnancy, at least 5 other symptoms may have made themselves known, possibly weeks before the scheduled period.

Here are five very early signs of pregnancy that can be noticed by a sensitive mother-to-be. And, all five can happen long before a period has been missed.

Elevated Basal Body Temperature
The body’s basal  temperature (the lowest body temperature that happens during rest) begins to elevate after ovulation, and stays  elevated beyond your next expected period. Ovulation is when a mature egg is released  from the ovary and pushed down the fallopian tube and is ready to be fertilized by a sperm. The implantation of a fertilized egg normally takes place 6 to 12 days after ovulation – that’s about two to three weeks before the next period is missed.

This one-half to one degree Fahrenheit increase in basal body temperature  is a subtle early warning sign of pregnancy. This change in basal body temperature, which is measured by a special, more accurate thermometer, can happen as early as two days after ovulation. And, that can be two weeks before you notice a missed period.

Breast Tenderness, Nipple Enlargement And Increased Breast Size
Changes and increased swelling and tenderness in the breast and nipples are one of the classic very early signs of pregnancy. Many times, a woman may notice these changes and blame them on a particularly ill-fitting or uncomfortable bra or other article of clothing. But, the sensitive woman will notice these changes for what they are – a new life is beginning to grow inside her with the new pregnancy.

Nipples, particularly the dark area around the nipple called the areola, enlarge and darken in anticipation of breastfeeding the infant. These changes are due almost entirely to hormone releases in the body, all in anticipation of sustaining the new life within. Some experts say the darkening of the areolas serves a purpose – helping the newly born child find the nipple easier for feeding. These changes to the breast and nipple areas should return to normal after birth.

Nausea And Vomiting
Also known as “morning sickness,” this early and uncomfortable sign of pregnancy usually targets women and begins around the sixth  week of pregnancy, but often occurs earlier. About half of all expecting mothers have morning sickness – which may or may not include vomiting. But, it usually always features nausea.

Often attributed to increased hormone levels in the body, some doctors feel that morning sickness is  a good sign that the baby is healthy and is developing normally, and the pregnancy is progressing well. If your morning sickness is accompanied with vomiting, be  sure to stay hydrated, keep your electrolyte levels within range. and get plenty of rest and nap throughout the day.

Constipation
Another subtle and often overlooked pregnancy clue is constipation – defined as less that three bowel movements per week. Who doesn’t get constipated at one time or another – without being pregnant?

The constantly changing level of the hormone progesterone, which slows down the movement of food through your digestive system, can wreak havoc with the frequency and timing of bowel movements.  Many women who are pregnant but don’t realize it may just write constipation off as an unrelated, and irritating issue. Like changes in the breasts, paying close attention here really can make tell a story.

Fatigue And Exhaustion
There is a big difference between fatigue and tiredness. Feeling tired and sleepy after a long day’s work is completely normal and expected. Sleep, which usually happens after tiredness, is the remedy for a body needing rest, as sleep allows the body to repair itself and ready itself for another hard day.

Fatigue, on the other hand, is not a normal bodily function and is usually a sign of some other condition. Technically speaking, fatigue really has nothing to do with a tired body, as sleep will not normally resolve fatigue. Fatigue can be a sign of disease   such as certain cancers, auto-immune disorders and a host of other conditionss – including pregnancy.

Fatigue can also be a sure sign of an early pregnancy, usually occurring during the first trimester and often partially blamed on a dramatic rise in the level of the hormone progesterone. Pregnancy also can put a huge strain on every bodily function – it’s no wonder that you may feel totally exhausted before the day is through.

Are you experiencing one or more of these very early symptoms of pregnancy? If you have even the slightest idea that you may be pregnant, get a home pregnancy test from your local drug store and test yourself. Then, you’ll know for sure and if positive, you can then notify your doctor and start taking care of your new baby.

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Second Trimester Pregnancy Week by Week Facts

Second Trimester Pregnancy Week By Week Facts

Here’s a guide to keep you in pace with the changes taking place in your womb in the second trimester pregnancy week by week.

The second trimester lasts from week 14 to week 26.

The 14th Week

Your baby is 2 ounces. It has tiny arms and legs and a prominent heartbeat. You should have lots of fiber in your diet to combat the problem of constipation, which is common in this pregnancy week.

The 15th Week

Your baby has become hairy! The hair helps her to regulate the temperature during birth. Your belly gets larger due to the increase in the size of uterus. It’s time to go for a prenatal check up to ensure your baby is developing properly.

The 16th Week

Your baby has become active. It starts kicking and twisting. Your abdomen will become heavier, as the baby grows further. As you keep a tab on your second trimester pregnancy week by week, do not forget to visit your doctor for amniocentesis. Here, your amniotic fluid is tested to rule out any birth defects in your baby.

The 17th Week

Your baby is becoming chubbier day by day. You are bound to gain more weight.

The 18th Week

Your baby can open her eyes and its digestive system has started functioning.

The 19th Week

Your baby gets covered by a waxy substance in order to shield it from the wet surrounding. This waxy layer also helps in sliding the baby smoothly out of your vaginal canal during delivery. Be prepared for strong mood swings, dry skin, boils and rashes.

The 20th Week

It’s time for you to attend childbirth classes. You may feel pain in your abdomen, which is normal. There are new developments in your baby during this week. If it’s a girl, her sex organs will begin to develop.

The 21st Week

At this stage, there is not much development. If there are twins, you may face swelling of feet due to edema.

The 22nd Week

Your baby’s brain and sex organs are in the process of development. All other organs are completely developed. You may experience back pain due to the pressure exerted by the growing baby.

The 23rd Week

Your baby is hyperactive at this stage. You should be on the alert for preterm labor. Watch out for bleeding, spotting, and contractions.

The 24th Week

You should go for a prenatal check up to rule out the possibility of gestational diabetes.

The 25th Week

Your baby starts developing arteries and veins, and spinal column. Your backache may get severe.

The 26th Week

Your baby’s respiratory system has developed completely by now. You are about to approach the third stage, which is also known as baby stage of pregnancy.

As compared to the first stage, the second stage is relatively easy. Ignorance is not bliss in pregnancy period. Know about second trimester pregnancy week by week and make your journey more enjoyable than fearful.

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Sex During Pregnancy

Very often pregnant women and their partners have this question in mind: is sex during pregnancy safe? The answer is “yes”. If you have a normal pregnancy, it is safe to have sexual intercourse throughout pregnancy. Sex during pregnancy does not hurt the baby or cause miscarriages. These are some of the many myths associated with this activity. However, sometimes it is not only better, but necessary, to avoid sex while you are pregnant. For e.g., if you or your partner have an infectious disease, that may be transmitted during intercourse, such as herpes or AIDS, you should not indulge in sex during pregnancy. Some men feel that their partners lose interest in having intimate physical relations while they are carrying a baby in their wombs. But, is this true? “Yes and no”; it depends upon and varies from woman-to-woman and on the gestational period.

Some women feel that pregnancy reduces their desire for making love, while others experience similar intensity of desire as before. Few women postpone sex out of fear of hurting the baby, though this hardly has any detrimental effect on the little one. If you are afraid, you may opt for other forms of stimulation, such as oral sex or masturbation. But you need to know the limits to follow during all these activities. How do you find out reliable answers to all these and many more questions on sexual intimacy during pregnancy? You might be shy to ask about them or do not know whom to turn to.

Even after your baby is born, you may want to know when it is safe to resume your sex life. Apart from physical relations, you may want to get answers on questions about your baby, such as how to take care of the little one, what to do if your baby has high fever and so on. What matters most here is getting sound advice. But this may not be possible during all times of the day. So, if you are a blessed to-be mom or dad, here’s an extremely useful resource on pregnancy, parenting and women’s health topics. The content is reviewed by medical professionals and, what’s more, you can send in your own query and get answers from experts in all fields of medicine.

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What Can Be Injurious to Your Pregnancy?

What Can Be Injurious to Your Pregnancy?
For recent years we have a tendency to knew a ton regarding taking and abuse of medicine and alcohol. Some folks raise regarding quantity of alcohol, cigarettes or medication they’ll take during pregnancy without doing damage to themselves and fetus. The most effective way is to exclude everything.
And it’s better to do it before pregnancy. When after you perceive you’re pregnant, about eight-ten weeks might pass after conception. Therefore, you’ll take medication, not knowing that you were pregnant. However, mother’s ignorance can not save fetus from various harmful effects. Few of women would begin taking alcohol and medication, if they knew regarding their pregnancy. Stop taking any preparations, not necessary for you, at least three moths before pregnancy!
In past we knew very little regarding abuse of alcohol. These days doctors-experts in narcology will already give recommendations and prescribe treatment for those, who became dependent on alcohol or drugs.
Undoubtedly, nicotine, alcohol and drugs are harmful and dangerous both for you and your future baby. It is higher to get help currently, whereas you have got not conceived a baby yet, than scuffling with these habits, when you are already pregnant. If you’re thinking that you’ll do no hurt to anybody, continuing taking substances, poisoning organism, during pregnancy, then you’re simply mistaken. Moreover, you bring irreparable injury to your baby’s health.
Consistent with researches, and you must remember of it, taking alcohol and drugs during pregnancy influences baby’s intellect, his mental faculties. And safe amount of taking of such substances is out of the question.
Smoking
We knew for an extended that smoking damages pregnancy and fetus development. Babies, whose mother smoked throughout pregnancy, have low weight whereas childbirth and developmental delays. A woman’s pregnancy seldom passes fine, if she’s still smoking. If you smoke, however need to possess a baby, you need to quit this habit, and do it beforehand – before conception. Consult a doctor, he will help you quitting nicotine addiction.
Alcohol
Earlier it was thought of that small quantity of alcohol during pregnancy will do no harm. These days we tend to perceive that any amount of alcohol you drink throughout pregnancy can bring inevitable consequences. Alcohol penetrates through placenta and effects fetus directly. If you drank a glass of wine, this suggests your future baby drank it too! How would you like it? Abuse of alcohol during pregnancy results in alcohol syndrome of a fetus.
Work and pregnancy
One amongst the most important moments in planning of pregnancy is your work. Many women do not even suppose that that will have a baby, even by the time, when first stages of pregnancy are already behind. As this era of pregnancy is very important for fetus growth and development, it’d be wise to arrange pregnancy beforehand. Such planning ought to foresee the manner your work will influence pregnancy, i.e. what you may have to house on work and which influence it will make on your health and baby’s development.
Another question , connected with work, which you should care concerning beforehand, – is compensatory injury and insurance, that your company’s program of help for mothers grants. Majority of firms grant special vacations for pregnant. There’s sense in learning everything before pregnancy. If you don’t be sure about this beforehand, then, when you will be already with a baby in your hands, it will be more difficult for you to search out necessary cash for providing normal life. Childbirth is a fashionable pleasure.
Some types of works will be dangerous and harmful for pregnant. Such substances, like chemicals, inhalers, radio-active substances or liquid dissolvents, that you have got to house on work, will become a reason of complications during pregnancy.
Ladies, who are standing for the foremost half of their working day, ought to be particularly careful. Normally, they furnish birth to babies with low height and weight. If you had premature birth in past or you’ve got lack of cervix, then you must not get fastened up in an exceedingly job, which requires constant tension or connected with physical loads. Consult your doctor regarding conditions of your work.
Majority of doctors can recommendation you not to quit working without special reasons. If there is one thing that worries you, speak to your doctor about it.

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First Signs of Pregnancy

What are the first signs of pregnancy? Since every woman has different symptoms, even with her own successive pregnancies, this is an important question. Often certain women are aware of the moment they concieve a baby, saying they just “feel different,” when other women, in the beginning, are unaware of the early changes happening inside their bodies.

There are even extreme cases where a woman suffers acute abdominal distress, gone to the hospital, and ended up having a surprise baby, all the while never knowing she has been pregnant. Fortunately, this only happens rarely. So, let’s look at ways to answer your question, “how do I know I am pregnant?”

So, what are the most common first signs of pregnancy?

1) For most women who have regular periods, a missed period is usually the first sign. Even this can be confusing, because often light spotting occurs with the implantation of the egg, and this can resemble a light period. If you suffer from irregular periods, then this is not so easy to see as a sign.

2) Another early sign of pregnancy is a change in your breasts. They become very tender and quite uncomfortable. But again, this is not always a sign of pregnancy, as many women experience the same feelings at the time of their period.

3) Morning Sickness!! This can be just a mild feeling of nausea or actual vomiting. It is not always in the morning; it can be any time of the day. Suddenly a food or drink you have always enjoyed has you rushing off to the bathroom.

4) Extreme tiredness can also be one of the First signs of Pregnancy. You may need to have a nap during the day. or by seven o’clock in the evening you are ready to go to sleep for the night. This does pass quite quickly, but can return at the last stages of pregnancy.

5) You may experience more frequent visits to the toilet and/or feelings of a bloated stomach.

Some women experience just some of these symptoms, while other women can experience all of them. If you are not sure if you are pregnant even with some of these symptoms, you can purchase a pregnancy test kit from your local pharmacy. With the new improved tests available, you can get a result within a few days of becoming pregnant. The other alternative is to take a urine sample to your doctor for it to be tested for pregnancy.

Hopefully, with this information, you will not have to ask the question ” How do I know I am pregnant?” Once you know, you can put your mind to rest and just enjoy your pregnancy!!!

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Early Pregnancy – Importance Of Communication Between Couples At This Crucial Stage

pregnancy. Although your partner cannot experience the same but woman always want her partner to assist her in every process. It is very beneficial if couples try to learn maximum during the early phase of pregnancy. What would happed during the first stages of pregnancy? What would stay the same and what would change during pregnancy? Do women like to have sex during pregnancy?

Many such issues concern couples and they should honestly discuss all these issues with each other that concerns them the most. It would be very easy to research and find information on the issues that they have identified. One of the best method would be to seek advice from woman’s physician together so that both of you can easily understand what is wrong or right. Physician is the best way to gain any knowledge regarding pregnancy. It is very important that both of you should feel comfortable to discuss every issue with the doctor.

An extra effort is required between the couple to communicate with each other during early phase of pregnancy. Most important is that the couple should feel happy about the pregnancy. They should be comfortable to talk to each other on every issue. The progress of pregnancy suffers if any one of them does not understand the issue or feels uncomfortable in discussing it with their partner. Last stages of pregnancy would be more smoother if the couple learns to share issues and refines their communication skills during the early phase.

Child care issues should be discussed during the early stages of pregnancy. Some people think that this to be idiotic but if a couple observes the behavior of other children, then they can easily figure out how they would raise their children. Even if a couple disagrees on each others viewpoint, still it would teach them an art of managing disagreements.

Time always slips out of hands. A couple should not wait for each other to talk on an issue related to child rearing or pregnancy. If a couple do not take interest in sharing their views during an early phase then they might not even be able to discuss it later. Therefore, it is very important for a couple to discuss or start sharing since an early stage of pregnancy.

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The Top 6 FAQs about Pregnancy Nutrition

There are a lot of questions that arise about pregnancy nutrition, and most of them center around what types of foods are safe for consumption and in what amounts. Following are the six most frequently asked questions about pregnancy nutrition.

During the next few trimesters, remember to implement these changes as you can without adding too much stress to your lifestyle. Remember that every step towards better health is a step in the right direction for you and your baby.

Q. How much caffeine can I have during pregnancy?

A. Contrary to popular belief, you can have caffeine in very limited amounts during your pregnancy. Experts agree that you can have as much as 150mg per day, which is the equivalent of one cup of coffee, or two cups of black tea.

If you have a heavy caffeine habit, try tapering off your use rather than quitting cold turkey. Detoxing can make you quite sick, and you don’t need that added stress during pregnancy.

Q. Is it OK to eat sweets during pregnancy? What about artificial sweeteners?

A. Remember, everything in moderation. Will the occasional sweet treat cause harm? No. But eating sugar every day can cause weight gain and can make your baby grow larger, making for a difficult delivery.

Artificial sweeteners, made of questionable chemicals, should be avoided completely during pregnancy. Instead, try satisfying your sweet tooth with all-natural sweeteners such as stevia, raw honey, xylitol, and agave syrup, which don’t pack the caloric punch of sugar.

Q. Can I eat shrimp while pregnant?

A. Yes, but again, moderation is key. Shrimp and other types of seafood low in mercury (such as salmon, sardines, anchovies, crab and lobster) may be enjoyed in limited amounts. Opt for two six ounce servings per week and you should be fine.

Q. What’s the best way to combat morning sickness?

A. Morning sickness is caused by the hormonal shift your body is making to accommodate your new baby, and it can be quite debilitating. Ginger is one of the best remedies for the nausea associated with morning sickness, but don’t choose ginger ale, which is full of sugar or artificial sweeteners. Instead, slice ginger and boil it to make a tea, and sweeten with the all-natural sweetener of your choice. Sip slowly throughout the day to ease your queasiness.

Q. How much weight is it OK to gain?

A. Most experts agree that you should gain weight during pregnancy, but you should limit the gain to maintain the best health for yourself and your baby. Limiting your weight gain will also make it easier for you to return to your pre-baby weight.

You should limit your gain to between 20 and 30 pounds during your entire pregnancy. Most women gain at least 10 pounds during the second trimester, when the baby grows rapidly.

Q. What forms of exercise are safe during pregnancy?

A. Regular exercise is essential to combating many of the common complaints of pregnancy, such as water retention, aches and pains, and excessive weight gain.

Exercise will also help keep you toned and in shape for labor. But you should opt for gentler forms of exercise rather than high-impact aerobics.

In fact, steer clear of any exercise that can cause you to fall easily, such as tennis, jogging, or horseback riding. Try yoga, water aerobics, swimming, and walking for the safest, gentlest forms of exercise during pregnancy.