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Active living: keeping active during and after pregnancy
| Contents: | What types of physical activity? Getting started Pelvic floor exercises Being safe After your baby is here Action stations: ideas to try Moving on: ideas, inspiration and information Keeping active during pregnancy |
What types of physical activity?
It is best to stick to activities that are gentle in both movements and intensity. Those that are too vigorous (for example, high impact aerobics, trampolining) or risky (for example, contact sports and activities that may result in you losing your balance or falling) should definitely be avoided.
Activities you CAN do
- Brisk walking
- Swimming or aqua aerobics
- Stationary cycling
Activities you CAN POSSIBLY do WITH CARE and EXPERIENCE
- Safe hiking
- Gentle skiing
- Gentle yoga and stretching
- Gentle cycling
Activities you SHOULD NOT do
- Any activity that involves sudden movements or sudden changes in direction
- Any activity that may result in shocks to your abdomen
- Contact sports like football and hockey
- Any activity that will result in you over-heating and becoming dehydrated
- After 16 weeks, any activity that involves lying on your back (for example, sit-ups) as this can obstruct the blood flow to the heart
- Strenuous or incorrect technique weight training
- Scuba diving (baby is not protected from possible decompression sickness)
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