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Exercise During Pregnancy: Keeping It Safe

Required Exercise Guidelines for BabyFit Members
-- By BabyFit Support

Before you begin or continue an exercise program during pregnancy, it is mandatory that you discuss your fitness plan with your medical provider. Continue to obtain approval from your healthcare professional for continued exercise during each prenatal appointment.

Relative Contraindications to Exercise
Use extra precaution, and discuss with your medical professional how your exercise program should be limited and what to avoid. Only proceed with an exercise program under supervision of your healthcare provider, if you have any of the following: (ACOG Guidelines)

  • Heart Problems, High blood pressure/hypertension, or maternal cardio arrhythmia
  • Anemia
  • Asthma, Chronic bronchitis or lung problems
  • Diabetes
  • Thyroid Problems
  • Seizures
  • Extremely over or under weight
  • Muscle or joint problems
  • History of spontaneous miscarriages
  • History of previous premature labors
  • Carrying multiples (e.g., twins, triplets)
  • A previously sedentary lifestyle
  • Smoking (BabyFit recommends immediate cessation of smoking during pregnancy)
  • Orthopedic limitations
  • Intrauterine growth restriction in current pregnancy

Absolute Contraindications to Exercise
Conditions that indicate a woman should not participate in an exercise program during pregnancy. (ACOG Guidelines)
  • Hemodynamically significant heart disease
  • Restrictive lung disease
  • Incompetent cervix/cerclage
  • Multiple gestation at risk of premature labor
  • Persistent second or third trimester bleeding
  • Placenta previa after 28 weeks of gestation
  • Premature labor during current pregnancy
  • Ruptured membranes
  • Preeclampsia/pregnancy induced hypertension


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Member Comments About this Article
"My baby is three months yesterday and I think I might be pregnant not sure..will my signs differ as I'm breast feeding..or is this all in my head." -- SWEET_DELIGHT
"I'm not pregnant I'm postpartum. Every article takes me to pregnancy exercise am I to still do these type of exercises?" -- SWEET_DELIGHT
"I am very unhappy with the information given about pregnancy and exercise overall. I exercised before I got pregnant, but I was not exercising as much or as frequently as I should. When I found out I was pregnant, I didn't increase my activity level because I was afraid to. I bought several pregnancy workout DVDs and consumed the extra 300 calories that is recommended. I thought the DVDs were too easy, but again I didn't do more because I was afraid to. Now I am 25 weeks and I have gained m..." -- FSUSWO
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