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How much exercise, and what kinds, can I do during pregnancy?

788 views · Published 26 May 2011 · 1:20 · Indexed 22 September 2026

Channel: IntermountainParents · 2011 · Education

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Exercise during pregnancy is a very important part of the health of the pregnancy, especially for women who have been exercising prior to pregnancy.  Most women whom have been exercising prior to pregnancy can continue their exercise plan as it was.  I've even had patients who've run marathons during their early pregnancy, because they're that fit.  Certainly, the exercise tolerance decreases for a lot of women so they have to back off their exercise.  

There is not a specific amount or duration of exercise that women need to maintain.  For women that are just starting an exercise program, I think that walking, swimming or low impact aerobics are helpful, but it does need to be gradually obtained.  Endurance needs to be gradually obtained through the course of a pregnancy and women should expect that their exercise tolerance will decrease, but can be worked back up definitely during the second trimester.  

Most women have good energy levels and can continue to exercise at whatever amount they're comfortable with.  A woman should stop exercising if she is short of breath, lightheaded, dizzy, in pain of any sort, feeling any contractions or having any bleeding, that should definitely be a signal to back off the exercise.

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