Before you continue or start exercising during pregnancy, it’s important to get the green light from your provider, as well as learn the red flags to watch for. Physical activity in pregnancy has minimal risks and has been shown to benefit most women. If you are healthy and your pregnancy is normal, it is safe to continue or start most types of exercise.
BODY CHANGES AND EXERCISE RISKS
You may have to consider how these changes could affect your exercise routine. Your joints become more mobile, increasing the risk of injury if your exercise includes high-impact motions.
BENEFITS OF EXERCISE
Don’t let joint mobility and all the other side effects or pregnancy, keep you from realizing all of the benefits that exercise during pregnancy can bring to you and your baby. You can:
- Reduce back pain
- Ease constipation
- Promote healthy weight gain
- Improve your overall general fitness and strengthen your heart
- Help yourself lose the baby weight after delivery
PRECAUTIONS AND RED FLAGS WHEN EXERCISING
We encourage prenatal patients to listen to their bodies when it comes to exercise during pregnancy. We advise patients to avoid standing still or lying flat on your back as much as possible. Both of these positions can decrease the amount of blood returning to your heart and may cause your blood pressure to decrease for a short time.
RECOMMENDED EXERCISES
With certain activities off limits, there are plenty of safe options you can do during pregnancy.
-Walking
-Swimming and water workouts
-Stationary bicycling
-Modified yoga and modified Pilates
Don’t let any fears deter you from maintaining your pre-pregnancy physical activity or starting an exercise program. It is important to discuss exercise with your obstetrician early on in our prenatal visits. Determine an exercise program that is safe and fits your personal needs and preferences.
Maryville
270 Blount Memorial Hospital
Physicians Office Building
Maryville, TN 37804
(865) 546-1642