Exercise During Pregnancy?

Most exercises are safe to perform during pregnancy, as long as you exercise with caution and do not overdo it.

The safest and most productive activities are swimming, brisk walking, indoor stationary cycling, step or elliptical machines, and low-impact aerobics (taught by a certified aerobics instructor). These activities carry little risk of injury, benefit your entire body, and can be continued until birth.

Tennis and racquetball are generally safe activities, but changes in balance during pregnancy may affect rapid movements. Other activities such as jogging can be done in moderation, especially if you were doing them before your pregnancy. You may want to choose exercises or activities that do not require great balance or coordination, especially later in pregnancy.

What Exercises Should Be Avoided During Pregnancy?

There are certain exercises and activities that can be harmful if performed during pregnancy. They include:

Holding your breath during any activity.
Activities where falling is likely (such as skiing and horseback riding).
Contact sports such as softball, football, basketball, and volleyball.
Any exercise that may cause even mild abdominal trauma such as activities that include jarring motions or rapid changes in direction.
Activities that require extensive jumping, hopping, skipping, bouncing, or running.
Deep knee bends, full sit-ups, double leg raises, and straight-leg toe touches.
Bouncing while stretching.
Waist-twisting movements while standing.
Heavy exercise spurts followed by long periods of no activity.
Exercise in hot, humid weather.

Pregnancy is a great time in a womens life and she should not have to stop everything she is doing just because she is pregnant, all she has to do is be more careful.