There are some forms of exercise that just aren’t worth the risk when you are pregnant. These may include:

- activities and sports where there is a risk of collision, tripping or falling heavy body contact;
- team competition where you have to reach, stretch or leap beyond the safe Iimits for your joints and your baby;
- activities that may take you in an unsafe environment such as air or water at high temperatures, or those that use heavy equipment or equipment likely to cause heavy contact;
- exercises or sports where the adrenaline rush you get from the competitiveness or the nature of the exercise or sport overrides your common sense – even sports that are theoretically suitable during pregnancy may become unsuitable due to your personal competitiveness;
- activities involving repetitive high impact, lots of twists and turns, high stepping or sudden stops, which may cause joint discomfort.

Also might not be a good idea during pregnancy for you to:

- parachute;
- bungee jump;
- water ski or snow ski;
- scuba dive or board dive;
- be involved in dance or choreography where performance or group movement carries you past the point of safety;
- ride horses or do any activity where there is a risk of falling;
- play any team game or be involved in competition activities where winning is of major importance. When considering competition, ask your sports association and your couch about the local regulations governing will still allow you to maintain your fitness.

Remember: If you are in doubt, ask!

Listed below are a few examples of signals that will tell you if your body is not coping with the level of exercise you have chosen. Stop exercising and seek advice from your medical or exercise consultant if any of the following occur:

- pain of any kind ( the most likely musculo-skeletal pains are in the back, pelvis or hip) – do no push through this pain
- discomfort after your exercise session;
- difficulty in walking or moving during or after the exercise session;
- contractions of your uterus at 15 minutes intervals or less – these may be experienced as abdominal cramps or back pain
- vaginal bleeding or leaking of amniotic fluid
- dizziness or faintness;
- headaches or visual disturbances;
- generalised swelling;
- numbness in any part of the body
- persistent fatigue;
- nausea or vomiting
- slow or reducing weight gain

Filed under: Pregnancy Cure by Don