Pregnancy Exercise Problems

Even though exercise and physical activity in general is good for a woman during pregnancy, there are some women who should not physically exert themselves while pregnant. Women, especially when pregnant, should always check with their doctor before starting or stopping any exercise regimen or physical activity routine. Abruptly starting or stopping these types of exercise activities can be a shock to your system and cause physical problems.

If you are pregnant and want to exercise during pregnancy but are worried that you are one of those women who shouldn't exercise because of problems, you need to listen to your body. Asking your doctor is important, but also listen to your body and follow your own cues. If you are currently exercising during your pregnancy you should stop immediately if you experience difficulty breathing, dizziness or become light headed, your body temperature rises, your face, feet, ankles, or hands swell, you experience spotting or bleeding, or you have pain especially in the pelvic, hip, back, or abdominal areas; these are problems you cannot ignore. These could be problem signs that there is something wrong with your body and you should not be physically exerting yourself during pregnancy. When you are pregnant, you need to pay extra attention to warning signals and see a doctor, obstetrician, or certified nurse midwife immediately if you have problems.

If any of these signs occur you should contact your doctor immediately. Unfortunately not every woman can exercise during pregnancy, and if that's the case for you during pregnancy, don't feel bad about the exercise problem. Some women have to stay on bed rest for a large portion of their pregnancy because the life of the baby could be in jeopardy, or the mother's life would be in danger. Other women may not be allowed to exercise due to preexisting conditions or problems with her pregnancy that stop her from over-exerting herself.

Every woman's body is unique and handles pregnancy in a different way. If your doctor told you not to exercise during your pregnancy because of potential problems then don't-and don't feel guilty about it. You're doing the right thing if you're following medical orders, and your pregnancy will be smoother for it. Find a pregnancy support group if you need emotional support for dealing with exercise issues during pregnancy. You don't have to struggle during your pregnancy alone, and you may find good future-mother friends as well, who can help you to handle the problems you face. And who knows-maybe you can exercise together after your pregnancy is over and you have babies in strollers.