Can working out while pregnant make babies healthier?
Exercise during pregnancy (frequency, intensity, type, time, volume): birth outcomes in women at risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Exercise didn’t just prevent harm—it actively improved birthweight and gestational age.
Many assume moderate exercise might slow fetal growth or trigger preterm birth, especially in high-risk pregnancies. This study shows the opposite: more movement = bigger, longer pregnancies.
Practical Takeaways
Aim for 3 moderate-intensity workouts per week (like brisk walking, swimming, or light resistance training) totaling at least 10,000 MET-minutes over pregnancy.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Exercise didn’t just prevent harm—it actively improved birthweight and gestational age.
Many assume moderate exercise might slow fetal growth or trigger preterm birth, especially in high-risk pregnancies. This study shows the opposite: more movement = bigger, longer pregnancies.
Practical Takeaways
Aim for 3 moderate-intensity workouts per week (like brisk walking, swimming, or light resistance training) totaling at least 10,000 MET-minutes over pregnancy.
Publication
Journal
AJOG Global Reports
Year
2025
Authors
Alex Claiborne, B. Wisseman, Kara Kern, Dylan Steen, Filip Jevtovic, Samantha M Mcdonald, Cody Strom, E. Newton, James E DeVente, Steven Mouro, James L. Whiteside, J. Muhammad, David N. Collier, Devon Kuehn, George A Kelley, Linda E. May
Related Content
Claims (6)
If a woman keeps exercising at the same level she did before getting pregnant, she’s less likely to run into pregnancy-related health problems than if she cuts back on exercise.
Pregnant women who exercise more each week tend to have babies with higher birthweights, even when you account for how long the pregnancy lasted. It’s not just about going longer—it seems like exercise itself might help the baby grow bigger.
Pregnant women who exercise more during pregnancy—like walking or swimming a lot—tend to have lower blood pressure in the last few months of pregnancy, which might help keep their hearts healthier.
If a pregnant woman who might develop high blood pressure exercises at a moderate pace, it won't make her baby smaller — so it's safe for the baby's growth.
If pregnant women who are at moderate risk for high blood pressure do more physical activity each week, their babies tend to be born later and weigh more at birth, which might help the baby grow healthier without becoming too big.