Pregnancy and Exercise

Regular exercise, with the approval of your physician, can often help to minimize the physical discomforts of pregnancy and help with the recovery after the baby is born. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), women who exercised and were physically fit before pregnancy can safely continue exercising throughout the pregnancy.

However, always check with your physician before beginning or continuing an exercise program.

Exercise may not be safe if the pregnant woman has any of the following conditions:

• preterm labor in current or past pregnancies
• vaginal bleeding
• cervical problems
• leaking of amniotic fluid
• shortness of breath
• dizziness and/or fainting
• decreased fetal activity or other complications
• increased heart rate (tachycardia)
• certain health problems such as high blood pressure or heart disease

Types of exercise to avoid during pregnancy:

• horseback riding
• water skiing
• scuba diving
• high altitude skiing
• contact sports
• any exercise that can cause a serious fall
• exercising on your back after the first trimester (because of reduced blood flow to the uterus)
• vigorous exercise in hot, humid weather, as pregnant women are less efficient at exchanging heat
• exercise involving the Valsalva maneuver (holding one's breath during exertion), which can cause an increased intra-abdominal pressure