IN THIS ARTICLE
Who Should Not Exercise?
What Exercises Are Safe During Pregnancy?
What Exercises Should Be Avoided During Pregnancy?
What Should an Exercise Program Consist of?
What Physical Changes May Affect My Ability to Exercise?
What Are the Warning Signs to Quit Exercising?
How Soon Can I Exercise After Delivery?
Maintaining a regular exercise routine throughout your pregnancy can help you stay healthy and feel your best. It can also improve your posture and decrease some common discomforts like backaches and fatigue. There is evidence that it may prevent gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy), relieve stress, and build more stamina needed for labor and delivery.
If you were physically active before your pregnancy, you should be able to continue your activity with modifications as necessary. You can exercise at your former level as long as you are comfortable and have your doctor’s approval. Low impact aerobics are encouraged versus high impact. Do not let your heart rate exceed 140 beats per minute. The pregnant competitive athlete should be closely followed by an obstetrical provider.
If you have never exercised regularly before, you can safely begin an exercise program during pregnancy after consulting with your health care provider. Do not try a new, strenuous activity. Walking and swimming are considered safe to initiate when pregnant. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise per day on most if not all days of the week, unless you have a medical or obstetric complication.
Maintaining a regular exercise routine throughout your pregnancy can help you stay healthy and feel your best. It can also improve your posture and decrease some common discomforts like backaches and fatigue. There is evidence that it may prevent gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy), relieve stress, and build more stamina needed for labor and delivery.
If you were physically active before your pregnancy, you should be able to continue your activity with modifications as necessary. You can exercise at your former level as long as you are comfortable and have your doctor’s approval. Low impact aerobics are encouraged versus high impact. Do not let your heart rate exceed 140 beats per minute. The pregnant competitive athlete should be closely followed by an obstetrical provider.
If you have never exercised regularly before, you can safely begin an exercise program during pregnancy after consulting with your health care provider. Do not try a new, strenuous activity. Walking and swimming are considered safe to initiate when pregnant. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise per day on most if not all days of the week, unless you have a medical or obstetric complication.
What Exercises Are Safe During Pregnancy?
Most exercises are safe to perform during pregnancy, as long as you exercise with caution and do not overdo it.
The safest and most productive activities are swimming, brisk walking, indoor stationary bicycling and low-impact aerobics (taught by a certified aerobics instructor). These activities carry little risk of injury, benefit your entire body, and can be continued until birth.
Tennis and racquetball are generally safe activities, but your change in balance during pregnancy may affect rapid movements. Other activities such as jogging or running can be done in moderation. You may want to choose exercises or activities that do not require great balance or coordination, especially later in pregnancy.
To learn strength and toning exercises that are safe to do during pregnancy, see Sample Exercises.
What Exercises Should Be Avoided During Pregnancy?
There are certain exercises and activities that can be harmful if performed during pregnancy. Avoid:
Holding your breath during any activity
Activities where falling is likely (such as skiing and horseback riding)
Contact sports such as softball, football, basketball and volleyball
Any exercise that may cause even mild abdominal trauma, including activities that include jarring motions or rapid changes in direction
Activities that require extensive jumping, hopping, skipping, or bouncing
Deep knee bends, full sit-ups, double leg raises and straight-leg toe touches
Bouncing while stretching
Exercises that require lying on your back for more than three minutes. (especially after your third month of pregnancy)
Heavy exercise spurts followed by long periods of no activity
Exercise in hot, humid weather
Scuba diving
Who Should Not Exercise?
If you have a medical problem, such as asthma, heart disease or uncontrolled Type 1 diabetes, exercise may not be advisable. Exercise may also be harmful if you have an obstetric condition such as:
- Bleeding or spotting
- Weak cervix
Avoid aerobic exercise during pregnancy if you have:
- Hemodynamically significant heart disease
- Restrictive lung disease
- Incompetent cervix/cerclage
- Multiple gestation at risk for premature labor
- Persistent second- or third-trimester bleeding
- Placenta previa after 26 weeks of gestation
- Premature labor during the current pregnancy
- Ruptured membranes
- Preeclampsia/pregnancy-induced hypertension
Take precautions with aerobic exercise during pregnancy if you have:
- Severe anemia
- Unevaluated maternal cardiac arrhythmia
- Chronic bronchitis
- Poorly controlled type 1 diabetes
- Extreme morbid obesity
- Extreme underweight (BMI <12)
- History of extremely sedentary lifestyle
- Intrauterine growth restriction in current pregnancy
- Poorly controlled hypertension
- Orthopedic limitations
- Poorly controlled seizure disorder
- Poorly controlled hyperthyroidism
- Heavy smoker
Consult your health care provider before beginning an exercise program. Your health care provider can offer personalized exercise guidelines, based on your medical history.