Does exercise cause miscarriage?

It is natural to worry about miscarriage, especially in the early days of pregnancy and if you have miscarried before. However, there is no evidence to suggest that exercise causes miscarriage.

In fact, if your pregnancy is uncomplicated, it is safer to exercise than not. For example, women who stay active during pregnancy have a lower risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure.

“I wanted to wrap myself in cotton wool after my miscarriage and I found it difficult when other mums talked about all the sport they still did - in the first trimester I wanted to protect my baby as best as I could. But perhaps if I’d been encouraged to go for walks and swims that would have helped my anxiety levels?” Clio

If you are concerned about your baby being shaken around as you exercise, don’t worry – this isn’t the case. Your baby is secure inside your womb. However, if it helps with your anxiety levels, go for low impact exercises like walking and gentle swims.

The benefits of an active pregnancy

Exercising during pregnancy can:

• help you sleep better
• reduce your likelihood of suffering from some common pregnancy complaints, such as varicose veins, swollen feet and tiredness
• reduce your anxiety and boost your mood.

Read more about the benefits of being active.

Pregnancy complications and exercise

If you have any medical concerns in pregnancy, talk to your doctor or midwife before you exercise. They can advise you on the levels of activity that are safe for you and your baby.

Becoming more active

You can exercise during your pregnancy even if you have not been active before. Good exercises for pregnancy include:

• walking
• swimming
• pregnancy yoga
• aquanatal classes

Find more pregnancy-friendly exercises.