Can a Pregnant Woman Continue to Exercise?
• The majority of women who desire to continue their exercise routine during pregnancy are motivated by the desire to achieve the health benefits of it and maintain muscular and cardiovascular fitness. • A smaller segment of these women train intensively, seeking to improve performance. For most healthy women with an uncomplicated pregnancy who engage in a moderate level of physical activity, fitness can be maintained throughout pregnancy and in the postpartum period. • Women who have achieved cardiovascular fitness prior to pregnancy should be able to safely maintain that level during pregnancy. • The goal of exercise should be to maintain a sense of wellbeing and fitness, NOT to curb weight gain or competitively train. Those women who are interested in maintaining performance need closer follow-up with their healthcare providers.
