What Do the Experts Say?
This is a summary of the appropriate guidelines and recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) on exercise during pregnancy and postpartum. For healthy pregnant women who have no additional risk factors, ACOG recommends the following: You should not exercise during pregnancy if you have any of the following conditions:
Pregnancy-induced hypertension (high blood pressure) Preterm rupture of membranes Preterm labor during the prior or current pregnancy Incompetent cervix/cerclage (a surgical procedure to close the cervix to keep the fetus intact in utero) Persistent second- or third-trimester bleeding Intrauterine growth retardation
In addition, women with certain other medical or obstetric conditions, including chronic hypertension or active thyroid, cardiac, vascular, or pulmonary disease, should be evaluated carefully in order to determine whether an exercise program is appropriate.