Active Pregnancy

Being active during pregnancy has many benefits for your physical and mental wellbeing. These include improving your sleep, improving your mood, helping to prevent diabetes of pregnancy and high blood pressure problems, and helping to support healthy weight gain. Staying active throughout your pregnancy will also give you the best chance of a good recovery, whatever happens during your labour.

Anything that moves your body counts as activity, such as walking to the shops, playing with your children, and gardening. It's up to you how you get active, but the more fun you have and the easier it is to fit into your routine, the better.

If you have an uncomplicated pregnancy and you are already active, it is safe to continue with physical activities throughout pregnancy.

If you're new to activity, start gradually and build up your activity levels over time, eventually aiming for 150 minutes of physical activity at a moderate intensity, spread throughout the week. You don't need to do it in big chunks - every active minute counts! Activities can include walking, exercise classes, taking the stairs, swimming, gardening and housework or any activity that makes you breathe faster whilst still being able to hold a conversation.

Listen to your body and adapt activities where you need to. If it feels comfortable keep going, but if it is uncomfortable stop and seek advice.

Remember not to bump your bump – so avoid activities with a lot of physical contact or risk of falling such as activities like horse riding, surfing, football, and basketball.