Exercise During Pregnancy

There is no reason why you can't exercise during pregnancy. The key is to choose low-impact activities (such as walking, swimming, or riding a stationary bike) that are unlikely to cause you injury. Exercise during pregnancy can result in benefits for you and your baby, including stronger muscles, improved blood flow, and a shorter labor.

 

Can I Exercise During Pregnancy?

Almost all women can and should be physically active and get exercise during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider first, however, particularly if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, anemia, bleeding, or other disorders, or if you are obese or underweight.
 
Whether or not you were active before you were pregnant, ask your healthcare provider about a level of exercise during pregnancy that is safe for you. Aim to do at least 30 minutes of a moderate activity (one that makes you breathe harder but does not overwork or overheat you) on most days of the week.
 

The Benefits of Exercise During Pregnancy

Regular, moderate exercise during pregnancy may:
 
  • Help you and your baby to gain the proper amounts of weight
  • Reduce the discomforts of pregnancy, such as backaches, leg cramps, constipation, bloating, and swelling
  • Improve your mood, energy level, and feelings about the way you look
  • Strengthen your muscles and improve your blood flow
  • Improve your sleep
  • Help you have an easier, shorter labor
  • Help you to recover from delivery and return to a healthy weight faster.
     

Safe Exercise During Pregnancy

Follow these safety precautions while you exercise during pregnancy:
 
 
  • 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 you feel dizzy, short of breath, pain in your back, swelling, numbness, sick to your stomach, or if your heart is beating too fast or at an uneven rate.
     
(Exercise During Pregnancy Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD