What are some guidelines for exercising safely during pregnancy?
A pregnant woman should check with her health care provider to make sure the activities she chooses are safe during pregnancy. The following precautions can help assure that an exercise program is safe for mother and baby (2, 9). A pregnant woman should: • Avoid contact sports and any activities that can cause even mild trauma to the abdomen, such as ice hockey, kickboxing, soccer and basketball. • Avoid activities with a high risk for falling, such as gymnastics, horseback riding, downhill skiing and racquet sports. • Avoid scuba diving. This activity puts the baby at increased risk for decompression sickness and may contribute to miscarriage, birth defects, poor fetal growth and preterm labor. • Avoid exercising on her back after the first trimester. She also should avoid prolonged periods of motionless standing. • Avoid jerky, bouncing or high-impact movements that may strain joints and cause injuries. • Avoid exercising at high altitudes (more than 6,000 feet) because it can lead t
