A miscarriage, the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation, is a devastating event that can make your days emotionally difficult and full of grief. Getting back to the activities that you enjoy and being physically active can help lessen the emotional pain of miscarriage. Generally, you can begin exercising as soon as you feel you are ready, but you should always check with your doctor and get her approval before starting a new workout routine.
Significance
Nearly 10 to 15 percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, and some even before pregnancy is known. Exercise is generally considered safe during and after pregnancy, and you can resume your regular workout routine immediately as you see fit. Exercising does not increase your risk for a recurrent miscarriage, though brisk walking, swimming and light aerobics are often suggested exercises for pregnant women. More strenuous or jarring exercises should be avoided if you plan to conceive again.
Physical Effects
It can take weeks for the physical effects of a miscarriage go away and some of them may keep you from feeling ready to begin working out. Some effects of miscarriage are vaginal bleeding as heavy as a period, light bleeding, lower abdominal pain, painful or swollen breasts and lactation. None of these symptoms prevent you from being able to exercise, but some women may choose to wait until they are feeling totally normal before starting to work out.
D & C
Your doctor may advise you to have a medical procedure known as a dilation and curettage, or D & C, to remove any leftover tissue that could cause infection. After a D & C, you may not feel ready to exercise. You might experience discomfort for a few days after the procedure and your breasts may leak. At this time, light exercise is safe to do, even the day of the procedure, but you should try not to overexert yourself and should gradually increase the intensity of your workout as you recover.
Preventing Miscarriage
The American Pregnancy Association states that miscarriage is not caused by exercise, so if you are planning to get pregnant again soon after your miscarriage, light to moderate exercise is considered safe. While you want to get your doctor's approval first, resuming a regular exercise routine may even help to prevent a recurring pregnancy loss by creating a healthy atmosphere for conception and gestation.
References
- American Pregnancy Association; After a Miscarriage: Physical Recovery; October 2003
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Early Pregnancy Loss; May 2002
- American Pregnancy Association; Exercise Guidelines During Pregnancy; October 2008
- American Pregnancy Association; Miscarriage; July 2007
- MedlinePlus; D and C; June 2010
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Dilation and Curettage; December 2005
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