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Pre-Natal Exercise

Benefits of Pre-Natal Exercise

Exercise can relieve or prevent the following:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Back Pain
• Constipation
• Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Fatigue
• Gestational Diabetes
• Insomnia
• Leg Cramps
• Nausea
• Pelvic or rectal pressure
• Postpartum weight retention
• Pregnancy induced hypertension
• Swelling of extremities
• Surgical or medical interventions during delivery

Exercise can improve the following:

• Cardiovascular fitness
• Circulation
• Energy levels during pregnancy
• Functional capacity
• Mood states
• Posture and biomechanics
• Recovery time
• Self esteem
• Sense of well-being

Healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies do not need to limit their exercise for fear of adversely affecting the fetus. Studies indicate no increases in pre-term labor, ruptures, spontaneous abortion, or abnormalities (ACSM, 2000, 1). To be avoided are extreme sports and high risk activities. For some women exercise should absolutely be avoided due to complications.

Use the following signs to determine whether you need to terminate exercise:

• vaginal bleeding
• shortness of breath before exertion
• dizziness
• headache
• chest pain
• muscle weakness
• calf pain or swelling
• preterm labor
• decreased fetal movement
• amniotic fluid leakage

High Risk Activities:

• snow or water skiing
• rock climbing
• snowboarding
• diving
• scuba diving
• bungee jumping
• horseback riding
• ice-skating/hockey
• road or mountain biking
• intense exercise at altitude

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Article Topics | Special Populations