During your second trimester as your belly begins to show, you’ll find it a little more difficult to get around and do some of the things you are used to doing. Once you hit your second trimester, most practitioners will recommend you avoid any exercises that require that you lay flat on our back. This can restrict blood flow to your uterus. If you regularly lift weights, you’ll want to make sure that you avoid lifting weights that are very heavy, as this might also restrict blood flow to the uterus. A general guideline is that most women should limit the amount of weight they lift to 25 pounds, though this will vary from woman to woman.
There are certain exercises that should be avoided during pregnancy because they can result in injury to the baby or you. Here are the exercises you should avoid during pregnancy:
- Running
- Bicycling (you might fall off and injure your belly)
- Skiing
- Roller Blading
- Contact Sports
- Jumping
- Lifting heavy weights
You’ll also want to avoid exercising in temperatures that are overly warm. Exercising in hot and humid weather can result in excessive fluid loss and overheating, which might be dangerous for you and your baby.
The best thing you can do to ensure the safety of your baby is to exercise moderately and pay attention to your body’s signals. If you start to feel cramping or pain, stop exercising. If it returns consult your physician. If you feel dizzy or light-headed, you may be exercising too hard and should rest and take it easy. It is vital that you listen to your body’s cues during pregnancy so that you don’t over do it.
