Exercise During Pregnancy

By: Laura Casselman, CPT

Is it safe to exercise when you're expecting?

Yes, you can exercise during pregnancy. However before you grab those weights or step into an exercise class, make sure you get the "OK" from your Doctor. This way you can ensure your baby is healthy and there are no conditions with your pregnancy that exercise could worsen. Once you are given your Doctor's approval, make a promise to yourself to train at few times a week.

Motivational Tip: Strong muscles ease labor and being physically fit can aid in shortening delivery time!

Key Factors

Make sure your exercises are safe for you and your unborn child. This includes eliminating plyometrics (jumping or bouncing), as well as any forms of exercise that risk abdominal injury (examples: skiing, horseback riding, and contact sports).

Never exercise in the supine position (lying on your back), as this decreases blood flow to the baby.

Don't over-heat! Stay well hydrated and keep your heart rate under 140 beats per minute.

Listen to your body! If the workout seems too hard, it probably is. Decrease your intensity, take more frequent rests, or take a day off. Remember you're exercising now for a healthy body and baby, not for a triathlon.

Last, but not least - if you're still unsure of what exercise forms to choose, hire a personal trainer with a prenatal certification.