Medindia has developed an interactive pregnancy exercise calculator to help expecting mothers stay healthy and active during their pregnancy. One added advantage is that physical exercise prepares the body for
labor and normal delivery.
During pregnancy, a sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of
deep venous thrombosis (DVT), which threatens the lives of both the mother and the infant.
Use this calculator to practice safe
pregnancy exercises that are tailored for your physique.
Is it Safe to Exercise during Pregnancy?
Yes. Exercise throughout pregnancy helps the well-being of the baby, increases your
muscle strength, boosts your immune system, reduces your risks of gestational diabetes, helps you maintain
a better body image, makes labor and delivery easier, and helps you recover and get back into shape after childbirth.
Being energetic for 30 minutes can benefit your health during pregnancy. Even if you spend just 15 to 20 minutes, 3 or 4 days a week, you can get some benefit.
Pregnancy Exercises for Normal Delivery
The types of exercises that are very safe include (
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Pregnancy And Exercise
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- Walking
- Swimming
- Dancing
- Using a treadmill
If you were physically active before you were pregnant, it is safe to remain active during pregnancy, but you should consult with your
healthcare provider before starting any exercise program.
Get started by filling out the fields below and getting the results to gain a better understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions about Exercise During Pregnancy
What are the warning signs to stop doing exercise when you are pregnant?
Pregnant women should stop exercising when they experience these warning symptoms and consult the doctor (
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Pregnancy And Exercise
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- regular painful contractions,
- vaginal bleeding,
- breathlessness on exertion,
- dizziness,
- headache,
- chest pain or calf pain
When are exercises not advised during pregnancy?
Exercise should be avoided if there is a diagnosis of an incompetent cervix, second or third-trimester bleeding, preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, placenta previa, preterm labor, significant heart or lung disease,
pre-eclampsia, or severe anemia.
Patients who are diagnosed with such complications are encouraged to walk more than engage in any other type of exercise, as it helps to minimize their risk of clotting in their veins (thromboembolism) (
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Pregnancy And Exercise
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What precautions should be followed while doing exercise during pregnancy?
- Maintaining proper hydration – Drink water at regular intervals during exercise, especially if it is hot and humid (2✔ ✔Trusted Source
Water and electrolyte requirements for exercise
Go to source). - Avoid strenuous aerobic exercise, as this can compromise the infant's well-being due to the diversion of blood flow to the muscles and away from the fetal-placental unit (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Pregnancy And Exercise
Go to source). - Avoid heavy weightlifting and long-distance running (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Pregnancy And Exercise
Go to source). - The pregnant patient needs to avoid the supine position since this will put pressure on the vena cava and compromise blood return to the heart, thus potentially compromising the blood flow to the fetus (3✔ ✔Trusted Source
Back to basics: avoiding the supine position in pregnancy
Go to source). - Avoid exercise in the supine position (3✔ ✔Trusted Source
Back to basics: avoiding the supine position in pregnancy
Go to source). - Avoid participating in any contact sports such as basketball, football, soccer, and volleyball, as well as any activities that involve horseback riding or hockey that could result in serious injuries or activities that require elevation changes like skiing, skydiving, or scuba diving (4✔ ✔Trusted Source
Pregnancy And Exercise
Go to source). When to start participating in sports activities during pregnancy?
If a pregnant woman wanted to participate in sports activities, she should wait until she is 12 weeks pregnant and make sure she has a normal pregnancy (5✔ ✔Trusted Source
Guidelines for Physical Activity during Pregnancy: Comparisons From Around the World
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