Exercise in Pregnancy
Regular physical activity is important for the maintenance of your overall health.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) recommends
regular exercise in all low risk pregnancies.
Benefits of Exercise
● Helping your body be strong and fit for labour, birth, and recovery.
● Improved sleep.
● Preventing excess weight gain.
● Improving mood and energy.
● Easing constipation
● Reducing backache
● Reducing the likelihood of getting gestational diabetes
How Much Exercise Should You Get?
Unless you are advised of a complication that makes exercise in your pregnancy unsafe, you
should be physically active throughout pregnancy. We recommend you accumulate at least 150
minutes of moderate physical activity each week (i.e. 30 minutes, five days per week, or 50
minutes, three days per week).
What Kind of Exercise is Safe?
It is best to avoid activities with physical contact or a risk of falling. A combination of aerobic exercise
(walking, swimming, low-impact aerobics) and resistance training is considered most beneficial. It is
important to warm up, cool down, and stay hydrated. Listen to your body. If the exercise feels too strenuous,
take it a bit easier, but do not become completely inactive.
Who should avoid exercise in pregnancy?
There are some situations in which exercise is not recommended in pregnancy. In most of these circumstances
maintaining normal activity is fine and bedrest would not be recommended. These situations include:
● Ruptured membranes
● Preterm labour
● High blood pressure
● Weakened cervix
● Growth-restricted fetus
● Preeclampsia
● Multiple pregnancy of triplets or more
● Placenta previa after the 28th week
● Vaginal bleeding in the 2nd or 3rd trimester
● Severe anemia
● Other diseases (uncontrolled type 1 Diabetes, thyroid disease, heart disease, lung disease)
Source:
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/hw194995
https://www.pregnancyinfo.ca/your-pregnancy/healthy-pregnancy/exercise-during-pregnancy/
Regular physical activity is important for the maintenance of your overall health.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) recommends
regular exercise in all low risk pregnancies.
Benefits of Exercise
● Helping your body be strong and fit for labour, birth, and recovery.
● Improved sleep.
● Preventing excess weight gain.
● Improving mood and energy.
● Easing constipation
● Reducing backache
● Reducing the likelihood of getting gestational diabetes
How Much Exercise Should You Get?
Unless you are advised of a complication that makes exercise in your pregnancy unsafe, you
should be physically active throughout pregnancy. We recommend you accumulate at least 150
minutes of moderate physical activity each week (i.e. 30 minutes, five days per week, or 50
minutes, three days per week).
What Kind of Exercise is Safe?
It is best to avoid activities with physical contact or a risk of falling. A combination of aerobic exercise
(walking, swimming, low-impact aerobics) and resistance training is considered most beneficial. It is
important to warm up, cool down, and stay hydrated. Listen to your body. If the exercise feels too strenuous,
take it a bit easier, but do not become completely inactive.
Who should avoid exercise in pregnancy?
There are some situations in which exercise is not recommended in pregnancy. In most of these circumstances
maintaining normal activity is fine and bedrest would not be recommended. These situations include:
● Ruptured membranes
● Preterm labour
● High blood pressure
● Weakened cervix
● Growth-restricted fetus
● Preeclampsia
● Multiple pregnancy of triplets or more
● Placenta previa after the 28th week
● Vaginal bleeding in the 2nd or 3rd trimester
● Severe anemia
● Other diseases (uncontrolled type 1 Diabetes, thyroid disease, heart disease, lung disease)
Source:
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/hw194995
https://www.pregnancyinfo.ca/your-pregnancy/healthy-pregnancy/exercise-during-pregnancy/
