During my first pregnancy, I exercised 2-3 hours a day right up until two days before my daughter was born. I wasn't working for the latter part of my pregnancy (was a teacher back then) and basically had time to exercise. I was doing Billy Blank's Tae Bo, hitting the punch bag, using the elliptical trainer, and lifting weights (but not on my back, that advice from my doctor I did listen to). Labor was a breeze for me (took only about 15 minutes to push dd out) and dd came out healthy (weighed 8 lbs, 15 oz).

Did anyone here continue to exercise during pregnancy against doctor's advice? I keep hearing how strenuous exercise is bad during pregnancy, but am wondering if this is really so.