Along with doctors' and other medical and fitness professionals' recommendations, you should also consider the following:

• If you have never exercised before pregnancy, start slowly and gradually build up
• Individualized programs with lower-intensity exercise are recommended
• If you were exercising before pregnancy, then the goal should be to maintain your current exercise programs with a few adaptations
• Gaining weight is good
• Medical supervision is recommended when exercising. Avoid contact sports
• Avoid exercise in which loss of balance could occur (e.g., rocky terrain, unstable surfaces)
• Avoid exercise in extremely hot weather
• Wear appropriate clothing
• Avoid high-intensity exercise
• Avoid exercising on your back or belly after the first trimester as this position is associated with decreased cardiac output in most pregnant women
• Always warm up and cool down
• Communication with professionals is key
• Listen to your body
• Avoid exercises that challenge balance, such as riding a bicycle outdoors or exercising on an uneven surface, especially during the third trimester
• Avoid extreme movements of joint flexion and extension, examples are deep knee bends
• When weight training, work on improving muscle definition (tone)
• Exercise programs should be tailored to the individual, taking into consideration one's fitness level prior to conception.