Missy Jungling, 28, who is due to give birth to her first child Feb. 12, exercises Jan. 13 during her advanced weight training class at the Butler County Family YMCA in Butler. Jungling has continued a regular exercise regimen throughout her pregnancy.

Along with the bundle of joy babies are to expectant mothers comes a challenge in keeping fit.

According to babycenter.com, a Web site for expectant parents, healthy women should gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy, and doctors recommend they get regular exercise such as swimming, walking and biking.

Gail Wienand of Slippery Rock, instructor and owner at Gail's Studio, said her classes are "open to pregnant women if they're having a healthy pregnancy."

"If they've been exercising (before pregnancy), it's safe," she said.

Wienand recommends yoga to pregnant women.

"It's hard to hurt yourself with yoga," she said.

Several pregnant women have attended different classes with Wienand until their seventh and eighth month of pregnancy.

"I had two pregnancies and exercised throughout," she said.

As a bonus, Wienand said yoga also helps a woman's body prepare for birth with stretching exercises.

Butler County resident Missy Jungling should certainly be ready for the physical toll of childbirth in February.

Jungling, 28, is due to deliver her first child Feb. 12 and is continuing to take weight training classes at the YMCA in Butler.

She classified herself as "very committed" to fitness before becoming pregnant, and has continued a regular exercise regimen throughout.