I am trying for a baby. Should I stop vigorous exercise to maximise my chances of a healthy pregnancy?
Thankfully, the days of being told to put your feet up and rest when pregnant are behind us, as more and more research shows that it’s much healthier for you and your baby to stay active during pregnancy. If you are already fit and active, there is no reason to stop when you find out you are pregnant unless you have a history of miscarriage or any other complications and have been advised otherwise by your GP or midwife. The main rule is to listen to your body and only do what feels right, without pushing yourself too hard. If you are new to exercise, you should still endeavour to become more active during pregnancy, but it’s not advisable to start a brand new regime that your body isn’t used to without proper supervision and guidance. Activities to avoid include heavy lifting and twisting; high impact activities unless you are completely comfortable with it (running, for example); and activities with a high risk of falling / injury (horse riding, skiing, contact sports). Always exerci
