Should I exercise when I’m pregnant?
Answered by Dr. Sarah Schmitz-Burns.
We know regular exercise can benefit you and your fetus by preventing gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and cesarean birth.
If you are healthy and your pregnancy is normal, we recommend a goal of 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity physical activity. Moderate intensity means you are moving aerobically enough to raise your heart rate and start sweating. You can talk but you cannot sing. Some examples are brisk walking, riding a stationary bike, and swimming.
If you were very active prior to being pregnant, you can continue the same workouts with your Ob/gyn’s approval.
You should avoid contact sports where you could get hit in the abdomen, and activities where you are at risk of falling.