Is it safe to exercise while pregnant?
Committee Opinion No. 650: Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Bed rest is rarely indicated and should be avoided
Bed rest has been a standard recommendation for decades in many cultures and medical settings, despite little evidence of benefit.
Practical Takeaways
Aim for 20–30 minutes of moderate exercise like walking or prenatal yoga most days of the week during pregnancy.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Bed rest is rarely indicated and should be avoided
Bed rest has been a standard recommendation for decades in many cultures and medical settings, despite little evidence of benefit.
Practical Takeaways
Aim for 20–30 minutes of moderate exercise like walking or prenatal yoga most days of the week during pregnancy.
Publication
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.
Being active during pregnancy is generally safe and helps most women feel better, stay fit, manage their weight, lower their chance of getting gestational diabetes (especially if they're overweight), and feel less stressed — so doctors often recommend it for healthy pregnancies.
If you're having a normal pregnancy, staying active with workouts like walking, swimming, or light weight training can help you stay fit and make your pregnancy go more smoothly.
If you're pregnant, it's a good idea to get moderate exercise like walking or swimming for about half an hour most days, but always check with your doctor to make sure it's safe for you.
Doctors usually don't recommend bed rest while pregnant because it doesn't help much and might even cause problems—staying active is usually better.