According to the ACOG (American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists) there is not data to
indicate that pregnant women should limit exercise
intensity and lower target heart rate because of potential
adverse effects.
The following recommendations can be made for
those women who do NOT have any additional risk
factors for adverse maternal or perinatal outcome:
During pregnancy, women can exercise and will gain
health benefits from mild to moderate physical activity.
Regular exercise (at least three times per week) is better
than intermittent activity.
Pre Natal women should be aware that they will have
a decrease in oxygen available for exercise during
pregnancy. Women also should modify the intensity of
their exercise according to maternal symptoms and how
they are feeling.
Pregnant women should stop exercising when they are fatigued and not exercise to exhaustion. Weightbearing exercises are also good as long as they are at relatively low intensities. Loss of balance during pregnancy can be detrimental to maternal or fetal well being through a fall, especially in the third trimester. Any type of exercise involving the potential for even mild abdominal trauma should be avoided. Pregnancy requires an additional 300 calories in order to maintain metabolic homeostasis. Women who exercise should be particularly careful to ensure an adequate diet. Pregnant women who exercise during pregnancy should be careful of heat and dissipate it by ensuring adequate hydration, appropriate clothing, and optimal environmental surroundings during exercise.
Many of the physiologic and morphologic changes of pregnancy persist 4 to 6 weeks postpartum so pre-pregnancy exercise routines should be resumed gradually based on a woman’s physical capability. ACOG suggests that pregnant women avoid any activity that could lead to contact or falling. Remember that pregnancy alters your center of gravity and makes you less coordinated and more likely to fall even when you are doing things you are used to doing.