Safe Exercise During Pregnancy
Follow these safety precautions while you exercise when pregnant:
- Choose moderate activities that are unlikely to injure you, such as walking, water aerobics, swimming, yoga, or using a stationary bike
- Stop exercising when you start to feel tired, and never exercise until you are exhausted or overheated
- Drink plenty of water
- Wear comfortable clothing that fits well and supports and protects your breasts
- Stop exercising if your heart is beating too fast or at an uneven rate, or if you feel:
- Dizzy
- Short of breath
- Pain in your back
- Swelling
- Numbness
Exercise to Avoid During Pregnancy
For your health and safety, and for the health of your baby, there are certain physical activities that you should not engage in while you are pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider about other physical activities you should avoid during your pregnancy.
Some situations and exercises during pregnancy that you should avoid include:
- Being active outside during hot weather.
- Steam rooms, hot tubs, and saunas.
- Physical activities, such as certain yoga poses, that call for you to lie flat on your back when you are 20 weeks pregnant.
- Contact sports, such as football and boxing, and other activities that might injure you, such as horseback riding.
- Activities that make you jump or change directions quickly, such as tennis or basketball. During pregnancy, your joints loosen and you are more likely to hurt yourself when doing these activities.
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