Being active during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Reviewed: June 2019

If you have a healthy, normal pregnancy, keeping active while you are pregnant is good for your health and the health of your baby. This booklet includes safe physical activity ideas, information on what physical activities to avoid, and when to take extra care during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

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Reviewed: June 2019
Format: Online only
HE code: HE2571
Language: English

The full resource:

Healthy weight gain in pregnancy

It is normal to gain some weight during pregnancy. However, gaining too much extra weight during pregnancy can affect your health and the health of your baby.

Talk to your lead maternity carer about healthy weight gain for your pregnancy.

Physical Activity

If you’re already active, continue to maintain at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week.

Staying active can help prepare your body for labour, give you more energy, improve your mood and relieve aches and pains.

A good way to make sure you aren't pushing yourself too hard is to do the ‘Talk test’. Make sure you can hold a conversation while you exercise.

If you weren’t active before getting pregnant, it’s not too late to start, but it’s best to talk to your lead maternity carer first.

Start gently and build up to at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Remember – some activity is better than none!

Extra care

Some things to remember and take extra care with:

Exercise within your limits

don’t exercise to the point of exhaustion

As your pregnancy progresses your growing baby changes your centre of gravity

this can affect balance during activities such as cycling or yoga

Pregnancy hormones can give your ligaments extra flexibility

take care not to overstretch

Use a good support bra (not an underwire bra), along with loose clothing and supportive footwear.

Being pregnant increases your body temperature

take extra care not to overheat in hot or humid weather

Drink plenty of water

before, during and after physical activity

The extra weight puts added strain on your joints and muscles making it easier to injure yourself.

Remember to listen to your body. If an activity is causing you discomfort, headache or pain, or you are feeling dizzy, faint or out of breath, stop immediately and talk to your lead maternity carer.

Some conditions, such as high blood pressure while pregnant, may prevent you being too active during pregnancy. Your LMC will be able to advise you.

Activity

What types of physical activity are okay?

Swimming or aquarobics

water temperature under 32º C (not hydrotherapy pool)

Household chores

such as vacuuming or gardening

Strength-based exercises

such as using light weights

Walking/jogging

remember the ‘Talk test’

Yoga/Pilates

modified for pregnant women

Pregnancy exercise classes

Pelvic floor muscle exercises

Caution

While pregnant it’s best to avoid:

Exercising in very hot humid conditions

such as hot yoga

Scuba diving

Contact sports or those with the risk of getting hit in the stomach

such as football, netball or martial arts

Physical activity with a risk of falling

such as horse-riding or skiing

Any physical activity lying on your back

especially after the first trimester, as the weight of your growing baby puts pressure on major blood vessels and could cause dizziness

In the later stages of pregnancy activities that involve jumping, frequent changes of direction and excessive stretching

such as gymnastics or trampolining

Returning to physical activity after pregnancy

It's best to talk to your LMC before you return to physical activity after the birth of your child. If you have maintained your fitness throughout your pregnancy, you should be able to return to light activity fairly quickly after birth. If you have a caesarean section, you will need to wait for clearance from your LMC or doctor.