It's safe and beneficial to exercise during pregnancy if your pregnancy is going well.
Check with your GP, midwife or obstetrician about exercising if you have a complicated pregnancy or medical condition.
Medical conditions
If you have any health problems or chronic medical conditions, talk to your GP before exercising.
Some of these may include:
- heart disease
- restrictive lung disease
- chronic bronchitis
- an eating disorder
- anaemia
- bone, muscle or joint problems
- high blood pressure (hypertension) that's not under control
- seizures that are not under control
- thyroid disease that's not under control
Pregnancy-related conditions or issues
Get advice from your GP, midwife or obstetrician before starting exercise if you:
- have any pregnancy-related medical condition
- have a history of pre-eclampsia or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure
- have maternal cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat, too slow or too fast)
- have gestational diabetes that is not under control
- have cervical weakness or a cervical stitch (cerclage)
- are bleeding from your vagina
- have placenta praevia (low-lying placenta) after 26 weeks
- have a history of premature labour
- have a tear or leak from the amniotic sac that holds your baby
- are told your baby's growth is slow or has stopped (intrauterine growth restriction)
- are expecting twins or more
Building healthy habits
Get advice from your GP or obstetrician before starting exercise if you:
- have excess weight or are living with obesity - especially if your body mass index (BMI) is greater than 40
- smoke - especially if you have any smoking-related problems
- have concerns about your diet and energy levels
If you are not active or used to doing much physical activity, start exercising gradually. For example, start with a 10 minute walk. Talk to your GP if you would like more advice about this.