Exercising During Pregnancy – Benefits, Exercises, When To Avoid It

All of these types of exercises improve your breathing and circulation. Yoga and swimming enhance flexibility.

Avoid sports which jostle the body, such as horseback riding. Check with your health care provider for specific advice about exercising while pregnant. Always pay attention to your body while exercising. As your pregnancy progresses, your center of gravity changes. This can increase your likelihood of falls.

Do not get dehydrated or overheated while exercising. If you experience discomfort, stop exercising for that day.

If you feel dizzy or notice any vaginal bleeding or leaking of fluids from the vagina, stop exercising. Do not exercise if you are having contractions or if you previously felt your baby moving, but no longer feel movement for more than one day. Stop exercising if you have pain or swelling in your calves.

Contraindications to Exercising during Pregnancy

While exercise is generally an excellent practice during pregnancy, it is not beneficial at all times or for all women. Women with underlying health problems, such as heart or lung disease or diabetes, may not be able to exercise and will need close supervision by a health care expert.

If you have had a history of miscarriage or cervical issues, exercise may not be for you. If you have been diagnosed with preeclampsia or if you have a low lying placenta, called placenta previa, you must not exercise. Do not exercise after your water bag has broken. Exercise is often not recommended for women who are pregnant with more than one baby as the risk of early labor is higher in the presence of multiple births.

The Bottom Line – Exercising During Pregnancy

In general, light to moderate exercise during pregnancy is an excellent activity which offers you and your baby numerous health benefits. You must be aware of your body’s response during exercise. Always check with your health care provider before beginning an exercise program and consult with him or her as your body changes during the pregnancy.

Author

This article was written for Insights-on-Health.com in Nov 2013 by Patricia Bratianu RN PhD RH-AHG. Patricia has been a Registered Nurse for almost forty years in a wide variety of settings. As a Registered Nurse, she realized that conventional healthcare was not meeting the needs of all patients. She became an herbalist and obtained a PhD in Natural Health. Patricia is a professional member of the American Herbalist’s Guild, passing the stringent peer reviewed process to become a Registered Herbalist.

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