Exercises in Pregnancy: Gentle Stretches Health Article

Triceps Stretch

This exercise stretches the muscles in the back of the upper arm.

• Hold one end of a towel in your right hand. Raise your right arm; then bend your right elbow so that the towel drapes down your back. Keep your right arm in this position, and continue holding onto the towel.
• With your left hand, reach behind your lower back and grasp the other end (the bottom end) of the towel.
• Gradually grasp higher and higher up the towel with your left hand, as high as you can. As you do this, you will find that it pulls your right arm down.
• Continue until your hands touch or until they are as close as is comfortable for you.
• Change arm positions and repeat on the other side.

Side and Arm Stretch

• Stand with your knees slightly bent.
• Gently pull your elbow behind your head as you bend to the side.
• Hold for 10 seconds and then switch sides. Stretch gently.

Gentle Stretch

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and pointed straight ahead.
• Slowly bend forward.
• With your knees slightly bent, stretch gently and steadily, and do not bounce.
  Relax your neck and arms.
• Hold for 30 seconds.

For more stretching exercises, go to Exercises in Pregnancy: Hip, Exercises in Pregnancy: Buttocks, Thighs, Hamstrings , Exercises in Pregnancy: Calf Exercises, Exercises in Pregnancy: Wrist & Ankle Exercises, and Exercises in Pregnancy: Neck & Shoulders Exercises.

For more strength exercises, go to Exercises in Pregnancy: Buttocks, Hips, Thigh, Exercises in Pregnancy: Arms & Shoulder Exercises, Exercises in Pregnancy: Shin, Ankle & Calf Exercises, and Exercises in Pregnancy: Abdomen & Thigh Exercises.