“What exercises should I do in the second trimester?”
I am a 28 year old pregnant woman. I want to know what exercises should I do in the second trimester?
3 Answers
You can do any exercise that you usually do when not pregnant. Just do what you feel you can tolerate and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.
Dr. Karen Slabas
ALLEN, TX
Hello,
Excellent question! Despite many common myths regarding exercise in pregnancy leading to miscarriage, poor fetal growth, musculoskeletal injury, or premature delivery, none of these concerns have been substantiated in uncomplicated pregnancies according to ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists). In fact, exercise has been shown to be beneficial, not harmful in pregnancy. Staying physically active has been shown to decrease the risk of developing gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, operative delivery (forceps or vacuum-assisted), c-sections, and reduce postpartum recovery time and depression.
To determine what type of exercise program is best for you will depend on your activity level prior to pregnancy. If you were habitually engaged in vigorous-intensity aerobic activity or considered physically active before pregnancy, then you can continue these activities during pregnancy and the postpartum period. However, if you were physically inactive prior to pregnancy, an exercise program that eventually leads to a goal of moderate-intensity exercise for at least 20-30 minutes per day on most or all days of the week is wonderful.
Excellent question! Despite many common myths regarding exercise in pregnancy leading to miscarriage, poor fetal growth, musculoskeletal injury, or premature delivery, none of these concerns have been substantiated in uncomplicated pregnancies according to ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists). In fact, exercise has been shown to be beneficial, not harmful in pregnancy. Staying physically active has been shown to decrease the risk of developing gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, operative delivery (forceps or vacuum-assisted), c-sections, and reduce postpartum recovery time and depression.
To determine what type of exercise program is best for you will depend on your activity level prior to pregnancy. If you were habitually engaged in vigorous-intensity aerobic activity or considered physically active before pregnancy, then you can continue these activities during pregnancy and the postpartum period. However, if you were physically inactive prior to pregnancy, an exercise program that eventually leads to a goal of moderate-intensity exercise for at least 20-30 minutes per day on most or all days of the week is wonderful.
Hello,
You pretty much could do whatever exercises that you want as nothing is really harmful. Obviously, you want to take it slowly if you are not used to doing the exercises. There is nothing special that you need to do in preparation for delivery. All I can tell you is that exercise is good for you and for the pregnancy.
I hope that this helps.
Joseph A. Adashek, MD FACOG
You pretty much could do whatever exercises that you want as nothing is really harmful. Obviously, you want to take it slowly if you are not used to doing the exercises. There is nothing special that you need to do in preparation for delivery. All I can tell you is that exercise is good for you and for the pregnancy.
I hope that this helps.
Joseph A. Adashek, MD FACOG
