Should I exercise during pregnancy?
Women's Care, Fitness
Savannah OB/GYN Dr. Ashley Hunsuck recommends exercises you can safely do during pregnancy and others you should avoid
It’s time to get those sneakers on, moms-to-be. With every stretch, every lunge and every breath, you are not only sculpting a healthier future for you but also your baby.
“Exercise during pregnancy has been proven to decrease pain and discomfort throughout pregnancy,” says Dr. Ashley Hunsuck, an OB/GYN at Savannah OB/GYN. “The patients I see that are truly active throughout pregnancy rarely speak to the discomforts other woman say they experience in pregnancy.” 
A big benefit of regular exercise during pregnancy is reducing your chances of developing gestational diabetes, Dr. Hunsuck says. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes in a pregnant woman who did not have or know she had diabetes prior to becoming pregnant.
Related Article: What is gestational diabetes?
Additionally, exercise during pregnancy has been shown to reduce fatigue, especially in the first trimester, Dr. Hunsuck says.
And when it comes time to deliver and recover from having your baby, Dr. Hunsuck says moms who are more active during pregnancy tend to do better than those who are not.
Some safe exercises and equipment Dr. Hunsuck recommends during pregnancy include:
- Ellipticals
- Stationary bikes
- Walking on a treadmill
- Swimming
“This would be for 30 minutes a day, at least five times a week,” Dr. Hunsuck advises.
Related Article: VIDEO: Modified exercises you can do at any point in your pregnancy
There are some exercises you should not do during pregnancy. Dr. Hunsuck doesn’t recommend deadlifts or lifting anything super heavy. She also advises that if you do yoga or Pilates, you should avoid laying on your stomach.
It’s important to note that women who weren’t active before pregnancy or who have health or pregnancy complications should talk to their provider before starting any exercise routine while pregnant.
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