If the pregnancy is normal, moderate amounts of exercise are acceptable and desirable.
Abnormal pregnancies, or those complicated by significant risk factors will need an individualized assessment and recommendations.
Some restrictions are appropriate:
- Women should not start a new sport or exercise while pregnant, but may continue previous activities.
- Activities which require a fine sense of balance to preserve the woman’s personal safety (horseback riding, downhill skiing, etc.) are inadvisable because pregnant women are inherently and unavoidably unstable in their balance.
- Because of pregnancy-induced changes in the supporting cartilage and ligaments (softening), the joints are relatively unstable. Thus, activities which place great stress on any joints are unwise.
