There was a good article in Newsweek last week about pregnancy and the benefits of exercise. Some of the benefits include: increased sense of well being, improved posture, helps prevent gestational diabetes, decrease in physical discomforts r/t to pregnancy, better body image, less fatigue, improved muscle tone, shortened active labor, and even a decrease in the need for forceps and C-sections. Also, exercise can help a mom recover more quickly after she gives birth. Researchers are now looking into the effects exercise (and healthy eating habits) play in your child's metabolism/health after she is born.

I exercised during all three of my pregnancies and think that it helped me feel better physically and emotionally, and I also believe it helped me have a better delivery too. It was not easy to find an affordable exercise program for pregnant women in STL (I don't belong to a gym). I took classes at St. John's Mercy and the Kirkwood YMCA (both of which were great, but the Y was better because it had a cardio component). I also think I remember Wellbridge offering one. Does anyone know of any other programs?

And to those of you who know me, no, I am not pregnant again