Exercise in Pregnancy

Staying active during a normal, healthy pregnancy can be beneficial for you and your pēpi.

If you were already keen on exercise before becoming hapū, the general advice is that you can continue with activities at your fitness level, provided your LMC hasn’t advised otherwise. Being active for 30 minutes most days can help your body prepare for labour, improve your mood, increase your energy levels, and help you avoid gaining too much weight.

If you weren’t particularly fit before pregnancy, you should still move your body regularly but now is not the time to start an intense exercise regime! There are gentle exercises you can do however, such as going for a brisk walk, swimming, or taking specialised pregnancy fitness classes like prenatal yoga or Pilates.

Ensure you aren’t pushing yourself too hard by making sure you are comfortable and can hold a conversation while working out. To keep yourself safe while exercising, be sure to rest when you need to, drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after, avoid contact sports, and wear a supportive sports bra.

Every pregnancy and body is different so if you have any concerns or questions about your exercise programme, speak to your LMC.