Exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle. Women who are in a regular habit of exercising may wonder if it is safe to continue while pregnant. For most women, it is safe to exercise while pregnant, but you should use caution and understand the changes to your body. Check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program while pregnant, especially if your pregnancy is high risk.
Physical Changes
Your body undergoes many changes while pregnant, many of which affect the safety of exercise. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, joints become looser during pregnancy as a result of increased progesterone levels. Blood volume increases during pregnancy. Your body also needs more oxygen during pregnancy, which may make exercise more difficult.
Exercise Benefits
Continuing to exercise during pregnancy has many benefits. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, exercise during pregnancy can improve your mood, boost your energy levels and prevent some pregnancy discomforts such as backaches, bloating, constipation and swelling. Regular exercise may also prevent complications such as gestational diabetes. ACOG recommends engaging in low-impact exercises, including walking, aerobics, swimming and cycling. Exercise can also prepare your body for birth, possibly resulting in shorter labors.
Weight Issues
Regular exercise may prevent excessive pregnancy weight gain and make it easier to regain your pre-pregnancy weight and body shape after birth. A 2010 study by the University of Western Ontario discovered that exercise during pregnancy could prevent excessive weight gain among overweight and obese women in particular. Exercise, along with proper nutrition, can help women weigh less at two months after childbirth.
Exercise Risks
Exercise carries risks during pregnancy for some women -- especially women whose pregnancies are high risk. Conditions that may present a higher risk during pregnancy include preterm labor, placenta previa, vaginal bleeding and premature rupture of membranes. Exercise can also raise your core body temperature, which can negatively affect your baby if your temperature goes above 102 degrees.
Precautions
Use caution when exercising during pregnancy. Your center of gravity may be off, making you prone to falls and injuries. Drink plenty of water to stay adequately hydrated. Engage in lower-intensity forms of exercise, especially as the pregnancy progresses. Avoid strenuous activities, such as downhill skiing and contact sports, including hockey and soccer. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also says to avoid scuba diving, because the large amounts of pressure in the water could cause decompression sickness in your baby.
