Regular exercise is very important for promoting health and well-being in women in all phases of life, but especially during pregnancy.
- Joint changes—hormonal changes during pregnancy cause joints to be more mobile and lax, which puts you at greater risk of injury.
- Balance—center of gravity changes, even in early pregnancy, make pregnant women at risk of losing balance and falling.
- Heart rate—pregnancy increases the body’s cardiovascular demands, which can reduce stamina and endurance. Outdated heart rate restrictions during pregnancy suggested a 140-beat per minute limitation; however, there is no medical basis for this restriction. If you can talk while exercising, your heart rate is at an acceptable level. Do not continue to exercise if you are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, exhaustion or dizziness.
Most exercises are safe during pregnancy and require minimal modifications. Walking is good for a total body workout and is a great way to start an exercise program. Swimming minimizes stress on joints and helps with swelling in legs. Cycling is a great aerobic workout, but should be limited to stationary or recumbent bikes after the first trimester as pregnancy increases your risk of falling. Running is safe during pregnancy, especially if you were a runner before pregnancy. The bouncing of running may cause ligament discomfort later in pregnancy, which can be reduced by wearing a maternity belt while exercising. Racquet sports such as tennis and racquetball are safe although competitive, aggressive games put you at increased risk of falling. Aerobics in the form of step, high/low, spinning class, interval class, and boot camp are safe. Strength training and weight lifting are safe during pregnancy in moderation. Care should be given to proper form in order to minimize injury. Exercises that cause you to strain the pelvic floor can increase risk of hemorrhoids and pelvic floor injury. These include squats with heavy weight and leg presses with heavy weights. These exercises are safe as long as the weight amount is in moderation. Core abdominals are great to do in pregnancy as it improves posture and helps reduce back pain. Abdominal exercises should be avoided lying flat on the back after the first trimester. Sometimes abdominal exercises become uncomfortable late in pregnancy and need to be modified. Pilates and yoga are safe exercises during pregnancy. You should avoid “hot” yoga (any yoga in an excessively heated environment) just as you should avoid overheating with any exercise.
Water skiing and snow skiing should be avoided after the first trimester because of the risk of falling and abdominal trauma. Also, exercises at high altitudes over 6,000 ft. can increase your risk of altitude sickness. Scuba diving should be avoided in pregnancy due to pressure changes that may put the baby at risk for decompression sickness. Contact sports should be avoided after the first trimester in pregnancy due to the risk of trauma to your abdomen. This includes basketball, softball, soccer, ice hockey, volleyball and contact martial arts. Activities such as gymnastics, non-stationary cycling, and horseback riding also should be avoided after your first trimester due to the risk of abdominal trauma.
Discuss exercise with your doctor if you are high risk, or if you have pre-term labor, ruptured membranes, vaginal bleeding, placental problems like previa, recurrent miscarriage, high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, or incompetent or shortened cervix.
Exercise is important pre-conceptually to help normalize weight and improve overall health. It is especially important postpartum to help with weight loss and body image changes, as well as stress reduction. There are really no exercise limitations after a vaginal delivery. After a Cesarean Section, exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for the first six weeks. The best approach is to use common sense and, if something hurts or is uncomfortable, don’t do it.
Consult your doctor about specific situations or questions.
What People Are Saying
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Lindsey Kaelin26 October 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Truly one of the best women’s health visits I have ever had! Emily Fountain is so incredible and listened to all of my concerns and offered so many options to me that have NEVER been offered to me by any other healthcare provider before. I felt truly cared for. The staff is amazing and kind and QUICK! And the office is beautifully decorated and clean. I will never go anywhere else ever again!Posted on Google
Madison Buckner19 October 2026It can be difficult to feel heard when it comes to women’s health, however Dr. Aiken always takes her time & answers question’s thoroughly. Couldn’t recommend her enough!Posted on Google
Lauren Hayes25 September 2026Ultrasound tech, Emma, was phenomenal! She was so compassionate and took her time to make our experience great. We really appreciate the care she took during our ultrasound.Posted on Google
Sidney12 August 2026Highly recommend! From the moment I walked in to the moment I walked out, my care was thoughtful, caring, and the furthest thing from feeling dismissed at a doctor’s office. Ellie did a wonderful job making me feel heard, comfortable and validate what I had been experiencing. For a first visit, I left feeling reassured and grateful that I chose this office.Posted on Google
Charisa McMahon21 July 2026I highly recommend Audrey Fenwick. She truly takes the time to listen and never makes me feel rushed during my appointments. I always feel like my concerns are heard and taken seriously. What I appreciate most is that she’s willing to explore different treatment options rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. She works with me until we find a plan that we’re both comfortable with, and I always leave feeling confident that I’ve received thoughtful, personalized care. It’s refreshing to have a healthcare provider who is knowledgeable, compassionate, and genuinely invested in helping her patients feel their best.Posted on Google
Amy Curry26 June 2026Dr. Shannon was a great provider during my last pregnancy with twins! She answered every question I had, kept me in the loop on all the clinical decisions and options I had available, and made me feel safe and heard during all of my interactions with her and her staff. All of the staff at Women’s first always took great care of me and my babies no matter what concern I had at the time.Posted on Google
Rhonda Eichenberger20 June 2026They are always all so nice and welcoming. I just love Brook McAfee, APRN, she is awesome!Posted on Google
Robin12 June 2026Dr Grider is the best Doctor. Very thorough, kind and personable!Posted on Google
Cathy Carter4 June 2026I cannot tell you how pleased I am with the services provided by Dr. Anne L. Oliphant and the staff at Women First of Louisville. Dr. Oliphant and staff exhibit outstanding professionalism, punctuality and courtesy. I highly recommend Dr. Oliphant based on the fact that she is an exceptionally skilled and compassionate physician who truly takes the time to listen to her patients. Throughout my appointments, she and the staff made me feel completely at ease. She thoroughly explained my diagnosis and patiently answered all my questions without ever making me feel rushed. I had to do bloodwork during my last appointment. The clinicians and staff were especially friendly and professional as well. Dr. Oliphant’s, and the staff’s, empathetic bedside manner and clear communication elicit standout medical providers in the specialized field of menopause medicine. I believe that Dr. Oliphant has really listened to my concerns and has taken the time to support my health journey. I highly recommend her and the staff to anyone seeking personalized and highly effective care.Posted on Google
Nancy Nance3 June 2026I have been a patient here for over 25 years. The best of care for any need I have had ! Simply the best !
