Lying on your back and holding your breath while lifting weights during pregnancy won't harm your baby, according to this claim.

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Pro

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Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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Community contributions welcome

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Resistance Training Does Not Decrease Placental Blood Flow During Valsalva Maneuver: A Novel Use of 3D Doppler Power Flow Ultrasonography

Cohort Study

Human

2021 Sep-Oct

This study found that when pregnant women lift moderate weights (up to 50 lbs) and hold their breath (Valsalva), their baby’s blood flow doesn’t drop—it actually increases a little. So, it’s safe for healthy pregnant women to do this kind of exercise.

Contradicting (0)

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No contradicting evidence found

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According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Similar Assertions

Doing heavy weightlifting, holding your breath while lifting, or lying on your back during pregnancy doesn't harm your baby or your pelvic floor health.

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84%

Doing the Valsalva maneuver—like holding your breath and bearing down—while lifting weights during pregnancy doesn’t reduce blood flow to the baby or lower the baby’s oxygen levels.

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When pregnant women who regularly work out lift light to moderate weights (up to 50 lbs), their baby’s blood flow doesn’t drop—it actually goes up a little bit during the lift, which means it’s probably safe for them to do these exercises without worrying about cutting off the baby’s blood supply.

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73%

Some pregnant women did strength training during the middle and later parts of their pregnancy, and nothing bad happened — so it might be safe, but we don't know for sure yet.

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71%

Working out with weights while pregnant doesn't harm the mom or the baby — it's safe.

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70%