Dogs can boost exercise rates for moms-to-be

Pregnant women who own a dog are 50 percent more likely to get the recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day.  That's because they're more likely to take their pooch for a brisk walks, according to a new study.

Walking is a low-risk exercise and having a dog can be part of a wider strategy to combat obesity and improve the health of pregnant women.  The study came out of the University of Liverpool. 

Their research of more than 11,000 pregnant women found no association between the weight of pregnant dog owners and those without pets, suggesting that there is much more to maintaining weight than just walking a dog.

Healthy eating, along with other forms of exercise such as hiking or swimming, are also important in preventing women from gaining too much weight during pregnancy.