Is It Safe To Exercise During Pregnancy?

We are commonly asked, “Is it safe to exercise during pregnancy?” The answer, is yes! Exercise is considered safe and beneficial before, during, and after pregnancy. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the risks of exercise during pregnancy are minimal. While contact sports should be avoided, women who are active prior to pregnancy can maintain their same level of physical activity during the pregnancy. Even for women who are not particularly active prior to pregnancy, activities like walking can be very beneficial during pregnancy.

Exercise during pregnancy can help women to avoid excessive weight gain and may decrease the risk of pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. For healthy pregnant women, ACOG guidelines recommend at least 2 1/2 hours per week of moderate aerobic activity (equivalent to brisk walking). From a fertility perspective, a healthy lifestyle prior to pregnancy may improve a woman’s ability to successfully conceive with or without fertility treatment.

At Fertility Centers of New England, we encourage all of our patients to lead a healthy lifestyle in order to have the best chance possible of conceiving, and our success rates are outstanding. If you have questions about your or your partner’s fertility, please contact us today!