Obstetrical Care
Exercise in Pregnancy
Exercise remains an important part of overall wellness during pregnancy. View your pregnancy as a time to maintain your fitness, it is not a time to start an aggressive new program. Avoid contact sports (boxing, basketball, hockey, volleyball), activities with a high risk of falling (skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking), and other activities that could cause trauma to your abdomen.
If you do not normally exercise, you can start with brisk walking, exercise biking, elliptical, swimming, prenatal yoga, Pilates or light weightlifting. You should be able to maintain a light conversation comfortably when you are working out. If you cannot do this, slow it down or stop. Drink plenty of water, stay well hydrated, listen to your body and do not push through pain when exercising while pregnant.
Try to be active for 20 to 30 minutes most days of the week. Please avoid activities that increase your core body temperature (such as hot yoga, running in 90 degree weather, or sitting in saunas, steam rooms, or whirlpools).
If you have questions about your current exercise regime or feel that you are high risk, please discuss your exercise with your obstetric provider.
Benefits of exercise include:
You should NOT exercise if you have the following complications:
If you do not normally exercise, you can start with brisk walking, exercise biking, elliptical, swimming, prenatal yoga, Pilates or light weightlifting. You should be able to maintain a light conversation comfortably when you are working out. If you cannot do this, slow it down or stop. Drink plenty of water, stay well hydrated, listen to your body and do not push through pain when exercising while pregnant.
Try to be active for 20 to 30 minutes most days of the week. Please avoid activities that increase your core body temperature (such as hot yoga, running in 90 degree weather, or sitting in saunas, steam rooms, or whirlpools).
If you have questions about your current exercise regime or feel that you are high risk, please discuss your exercise with your obstetric provider.
Benefits of exercise include:
- Improved overall health and well-being
- Maintaining a healthy weight gain in pregnancy and helping to lose the weight afterward
- Decreased risks for diabetes and high blood pressure
- Reduced back pain and other discomforts of pregnancy
- Reduced constipation
You should NOT exercise if you have the following complications:
- Cervical insufficiency
- Twins/triplets if at risk for preterm labor
- Placenta previa after 26 weeks
- Preterm labor
