About aquaBelly® Fitness
Founded in 2010 by Samantha Bense and Kristy Wexler, aquaBelly® Fitness program was created with moms and moms to be in mind as well as women that are preconception who are looking to become more fit prior to pregnancy.
Our program is taught by highly trained and nationally certified instructors in both pre and postnatal fitness. aquaBelly® is safer than land based exercise for expecting women since the exercises are performed in the water allowing for less wear and tear on the joints and creating an environment that is safer from injury due to the buoyancy and nearly non-impact.
Visit www.aquaBellyfitness.com for more information!
Our program is taught by highly trained and nationally certified instructors in both pre and postnatal fitness. aquaBelly® is safer than land based exercise for expecting women since the exercises are performed in the water allowing for less wear and tear on the joints and creating an environment that is safer from injury due to the buoyancy and nearly non-impact.
Visit www.aquaBellyfitness.com for more information!
Pre and Postnatal Exercise FAQs
What are the Benefits of Exercise during Pregnancy?
According to James F. Clapp, M.D., author of Exercising Through Your Pregnancy, women can exercise before, during, and after their pregnancies. “Some women fear that exercise will increase the risk of miscarriage, pre-term labor, or material injury, but this is NOT the case.” According to Dr. Clapp’s research, women who exercise “feel better, perform better, and have babies that are stronger physiologically and perhaps better developed neurologically.” In addition, pregnant women who exercise are likely to return to their pre-pregnancy shapes sooner, feel increased energy, and fend of stress more readily.
According to James F. Clapp, M.D., author of Exercising Through Your Pregnancy, women can exercise before, during, and after their pregnancies. “Some women fear that exercise will increase the risk of miscarriage, pre-term labor, or material injury, but this is NOT the case.” According to Dr. Clapp’s research, women who exercise “feel better, perform better, and have babies that are stronger physiologically and perhaps better developed neurologically.” In addition, pregnant women who exercise are likely to return to their pre-pregnancy shapes sooner, feel increased energy, and fend of stress more readily.
Benefits to the pregnant woman
- Reduction in risk of developing gestational diabetes (especially in women with at BMI index greater than 33, ACOG)
- Reduction in risk of developing pregnancy induced hypertension
- Fewer obstetric interventions (vacuum extraction, forceps)
- Reduction in the ‘active stage’ of labor
- No significant difference in the rate of cesarean section
- Increase in maternal well being
- Quicker return to pre-pregnancy weight
- Decreased incidence of loss of bladder control during pregnancy and postpartum
- Reduction in bone density loss during the lactation state
- Reduction in common pregnancy complaints (hemorrhoids, leg cramps back pain etc)
- Reduction in risk of developing gestational diabetes (especially in women with at BMI index greater than 33, ACOG)
- Reduction in risk of developing pregnancy induced hypertension
- Fewer obstetric interventions (vacuum extraction, forceps)
- Reduction in the ‘active stage’ of labor
- No significant difference in the rate of cesarean section
- Increase in maternal well being
- Quicker return to pre-pregnancy weight
- Decreased incidence of loss of bladder control during pregnancy and postpartum
- Reduction in bone density loss during the lactation state
- Reduction in common pregnancy complaints (hemorrhoids, leg cramps back pain etc)
Benefits to the infants
- Infants have less body fat at birth
- Infants are less cranky, have a reduction in the incidence of infant colic
- Greater neurodevelopmental scores in oral language and motor areas (tested at age 5)
- Infants have less body fat at birth
- Infants are less cranky, have a reduction in the incidence of infant colic
- Greater neurodevelopmental scores in oral language and motor areas (tested at age 5)
Why do you recommend exercising in the water and not on land while pregnant?
Exercising in water is recommended for pregnant women because the water's buoyancy requires you to support only 50 percent of your body weight and is a form of exercise that prevents over heating and is very low impact. It also reduces the risk of stress-related injuries, and the compression of the water is soothing on joints and muscles that are stressed by the changes your body will experience.
Do I need to acquire medical clearance to attend class?
Yes! If you are pregnant or your baby is under 8 weeks old you'll need medical clearance from your doctor or health care provider to attend class. Click here to download a consent form. Please bring your consent form to your first class!
Who should not exercise during pregnancy?
Women who are experiencing a healthy normal pregnancy may exercise with the consent of their caregiver. All women who choose to exercise during pregnancy should discuss their decision with their caregiver prior to starting an exercise program. (There are a small percentage of the populations for whom exercise during pregnancy is contraindicated.)
When should I stop exercising?
Guidelines for stopping exercise (Summary of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). If you experience any of the following symptoms you should stop exercising and seek medical advice.
- Vaginal bleeding
- Dyspnea prior to exertion (Out of Breath, prior to exercise)
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Chest pain
- Muscle weakness
- Calf pain or swelling (DVT must be ruled out)
- Preterm labor
- Decreased fetal movement
- Amniotic fluid leakage
- Vaginal bleeding
- Dyspnea prior to exertion (Out of Breath, prior to exercise)
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Chest pain
- Muscle weakness
- Calf pain or swelling (DVT must be ruled out)
- Preterm labor
- Decreased fetal movement
- Amniotic fluid leakage
Will exercise affect the growth of my baby?
In a normal, healthy pregnancy, a supervised exercise program under the guidance of a qualified professional has no impact on fetal growth or development.
Will exercise cause a miscarriage?
No, although your caregiver may advise you not to exercise until after the first trimester if you have had two or more previous miscarriages.