Exercise!
All pregnant women should consult their healthcare professional before starting an exercise routine, even those women who used to work out regularly prior to becoming pregnant, as the game has now changed a bit (exercises that you may have done previously, may no longer be safe to perform now that you are pregnant).

Not only does exercise help to control weight gain during pregnancy, it helps build and train your muscles for having to carry your growing baby over the next nine months! Exercising, even just a few times a week can make an enormous difference in how you feel and provide a great release for tension and irritability. Great exercises for pregnant women include swimming, prenatal yoga, walking, or even a stationary bike. Stop exercising if you experience any dizziness, nausea, abdominal cramping or shortness of breath. Pregnant women should not exercise to the point of being out breath.

Practice Good Posture!
If you spend your workday stuck at a desk and computer, practice good posture. Take frequent breaks to get up and walk around, it does wonders for your circulation and stretching your legs!

Practice Safe Lifting!
Whenever attempting to lift anything, whether it is one of your older children or a bag of groceries, always lift with your legs… not your back! Try to avoid doing any heavy lifting all together while you are pregnant, but if you must, make sure you do not lift above your head.

The Right Shoes!
High heels may look nice and be an easy way to try to slim down your legs, but they are a quick way to a sore back for the pregnant mom. Switch to comfortable flats as much as possible, they are much more back and posture friendly!

Pamper Yourself!
Sleep! Sleep! Sleep! Remember you are growing another little person in there! You need lots of rest in order to keep up with all the changes that your body is going through. Try to sit down and put your feet up as much as possible, and while you are taking your cat naps try to sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees, your body will love the extra support and laying on your side takes pressure off your lower back. In the mean time shop for a big body pillow to make sleeping at night much easier! Your husband will appreciate you not taking all the other pillows on the bed at night!