Nutrition, Exercise and Weight Management.

Nutrition, exercise and weight management are important during pregnancy. Your good nutrition helps give your baby a healthy start in life because the foods you eat can affect your baby's development and growth. Exercise is important to help you stay in good shape during pregnancy. Developing strong muscles may help you overcome some problems during pregnancy, such as backaches and muscle cramps. Exercise may also prepare you to do the hard work of labor and delivery. Weight control ensures your developing baby receives the nutrients it needs to build bones and organs. If you gain too much weight, you may have a bigger baby, which could mean a harder labor and delivery for you.

Gaining too little weight could mean your baby doesn't receive the nutrients it needs for healthy growth and development. One study showed 95% of the women who had good-to-excellent diets had babies in good-to-excellent health. Only 8% of those women who ate poor diets (lots of junk food) had babies in good to excellent health. One of your main goals in pregnancy is to have the healthiest baby you can. Your nutrition during pregnancy has a great impact on your baby's health. Exercise and weight control add to your overall health and thus the health of your baby.