Should I exercise when I’m pregnant?

Regular physical exercise is so very important for our overall physical health and has been proven to be enormously beneficial for our mental health. For a normal, low-risk pregnancy this does not change (unless your pregnancy care provider has advised you otherwise)!

It’s really important that you maintain your fitness in preparation for labour and birth.

If you were exercising pre-pregnancy, it is usually safe to continue a moderate intensity exercise program (as a guide, moderate intensity exercise will increase your heart rate and make you feel warm, however, you will still be able to hold a conversation while you work out). If you weren’t so active pre-pregnancy, it’s probably not a great idea to go flat out first up - start with some gentle low impact exercises like walking or a pregnancy yoga class (it is important that if you are going to do yoga that your instructor is aware that you are pregnant and is trained appropriately to deliver yoga classes to pregnant women).

As your baby grows and develops you may find some activities more comfortable than others

As your baby grows and develops you may find some activities more comfortable than others - activities like jogging may be better to be reduced to walking, and some women find the support that water gives their increasing uterus very beneficial for example swimming or gentle water aerobics.

If you have any questions, let’s chat about your physical activity and the most appropriate exercise for you at your next appointment.