Exercise During Pregnancy

Evidence on Exercise and Miscarriage Risk

A recent meta-analysis demonstrated no increased odds of miscarriage or perinatal mortality in otherwise healthy pregnant women who exercised compared with those who did not 1, 2
The Canadian Guidelines for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy explicitly state that physical activity is not associated with miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death, as recommended by the Canadian health authority 4, 3

Regular prenatal physical activity is associated with numerous health benefits, including a 38% reduction in gestational diabetes mellitus, as stated by the British Journal of Sports Medicine guidelines 5, 3
Regular prenatal physical activity is associated with a 41% reduction in pre-eclampsia, according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine recommendations 5, 3
Regular prenatal physical activity is associated with a 39% reduction in gestational hypertension, as suggested by the British Journal of Sports Medicine guidelines 5, 3
Regular prenatal physical activity is associated with a 67% reduction in prenatal depression, as stated by the British Journal of Sports Medicine recommendations 5, 3
Regular prenatal physical activity is associated with a 39% reduction in macrosomia (large babies), according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine guidelines 5, 3

Pregnant women should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, as recommended by the British Journal of Sports Medicine 5, 3
Physical activity should be accumulated over a minimum of 3 days per week, though daily activity is encouraged, according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine guidelines 5, 3
A variety of aerobic and resistance training activities is recommended for greater benefits, as suggested by the British Journal of Sports Medicine recommendations 5, 3

Avoid physical activity in excessive heat, especially with high humidity, as recommended by the British Journal of Sports Medicine 6
Maintain adequate nutrition and hydration—drink water before, during, and after physical activity, according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine guidelines 6
Know when to stop exercise (persistent shortness of breath, severe chest pain, regular painful contractions, vaginal bleeding, persistent dizziness), as stated by the British Journal of Sports Medicine recommendations 6

Women with recurrent pregnancy loss (defined as three or more consecutive losses before 24 weeks): it is unlikely that regular physical activity within guidelines would increase the risk of loss, as suggested by the British Journal of Sports Medicine 1, 2
Exercise may actually benefit factors that increase miscarriage risk, such as insulin resistance and obesity, according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine recommendations 1, 2

Running during the first trimester is safe for women without contraindications to exercise, as recommended by the British Journal of Sports Medicine 1, 4
Women who were previously active can continue their regular physical activity throughout pregnancy, including running, according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine guidelines 5, 3
Previously inactive women should start gradually and progress toward meeting the guidelines, as suggested by the British Journal of Sports Medicine recommendations 5, 3
Women may need to modify their activity as pregnancy progresses due to physiological changes, according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine guidelines 5, 3