Exercising when pregnant can provide a number of healthy benefits to you and your unborn child. But knowing which activities are right for you and your personal levels of fitness can sometimes be a harder thing to judge. During pregnancy women can put on unnecessary extra pounds by avoiding exercise because they don't know the real benefits to them that exercise can bring or which activities they can do safely - most books on pregnancy all revolve around baby and not you.

Some of the benefits pregnant exercise can bring include: -

* Preventing stretch marks

* Stop sagging breasts

* Avoiding gaining excess weight in the wrong places

* Be able to lose weight easily after giving birth

* Have more energy and feel sexy during pregnancy

* Relieve back ache, help posture, tone and strengthen muscles in back, bum and thighs

* Make labor easier and quicker

* Activate fluid in joints - during pregnancy your joints can become looser

Obviously, it is worth discussing any planned exercise with your Doctor and there are some general rules about pregnant exercise that are worth noting. It is generally always going to be OK to exercise unless complications are limiting you - these can include vaginal bleeding, high blood pressure, early contractions or waters breaking early.

Firstly, choose something you enjoy! Biking, pilates, dancing, walking or swimming all offer core flexibility and strength and whatever you choose you should avoid bouncing. Workouts at home are convenient although you may prefer to use the time you exercise as a way of 'getting away from it all'.

Whichever exercise you choose a few guidelines are applicable. Your energy levels will vary considerably and you should exercise as much as possible without anything becoming too strenuous. General activities to avoid are sit ups, aerobics (your centre of gravity is lower and can make falls more likely), any jarring or lifting activity, contact sports, horse riding, scuba diving or anything involving a sudden change of direction.

Pelvic floor exercises should be done for 5 minutes a day and increase this steadily by 5 minutes each week until you're doing 30 minutes each day.

It's important to remember the same things for pregnant exercise as you would for normal exercise - wear loose fitting clothing, a sports bra and drink water - plenty and often.

By following a steady routine of gentle and regular exercise you can help yourself to a happy and healthy pregnancy.

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Breastfeeding is the recommended way to feed your newborn child. Get your free guide now - Complete Breastfeeding Guide at http://www.notjustbasics.com/breastfeed/guide