Pregnancy is a season when the mom, or mom-to-be, needs to take extra care of herself physically because of her baby. Because of this idea, a woman who posted a video of herself working out while pregnant has received much backlash.
Exercise is "Life"
The woman, a CrossFit trainer named Emily Breeze, has chosen to maintain her fitness regime even while pregnant as she considers it to be "her life," reports Self. She posted a video of herself lifting a 90-pound weight while in her 37th week of pregnancy.
Breeze regularly posts healthy lifestyle pictures and videos in her Instagram account for her fans to follow. And although she said she is following her doctor's advice regarding her health and pregnancy, many people who saw her video cannot stop but become concerned about her and the baby in her womb
"[Exercise] is all I know," Breeze told the Today show. "It's what I believe in, and I want to have a healthy, fit pregnancy."
Breeze isn't the only woman to face this kind of backlash for exercising while pregnant. Both Australian trainer Chontel Duncan and fitness competitor Stacie Venagro went under fire for maintaining exercise routines in their pregnancies.
Expert Advice
While others criticize such pregnant women for trying to stay fit during their pregnancies, experts, on the other hand, are recommending certain exercises for pregnant women.
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend in a list of guidelines that pregnancy should be accompanied by some physical activity or exercise, noting that it gives benefits while posing minimal risk to the pregnancy. However, physical exercises need to be modified to fit a pregnant woman's needs.
The ACOG also encourages that all women who are pregnant with no complications should engage themselves in both aerobic and strength-conditioning exercises before, during and after pregnancy. The BabyCentre, however, advises sticking to exercises aimed at maintaining muscle tone, rather than building up new muscle.
"While regular physical activity is encouraged in uncomplicated pregnancies, each patient should consult her physician before starting any exercise routine during pregnancy," Columbia University Medical Center assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nitasha G. Jain, M.D. told Self.
What do you think of Emily Breeze's pregnancy fitness routine? Share your opinions in the comments section below.
