8 Safe Exercises for the First Trimester of Pregnancy

It will be simpler for you to adjust to your altering form and weight increase if you stay fit and active during pregnancy. Additionally, it will also assist you in getting through labour and recovering from childbirth.

Exercises for first trimester pregnancy have a number of documented health advantages, including improved sleep, lowered stress levels, improved moods, weight maintenance before and after delivery, a decreased risk of caesarean section and premature birth, and a decreased risk of type II diabetes for the unborn child.

Maintain your regular daily physical activity or exercise (dancing, running, sport, yoga, or even just strolling to and from the stores) for as long as you feel okay. Most importantly, your baby won't be harmed by these exercises.

There is also some evidence suggesting that women who are active are less likely to have problems with their later pregnancies and labours.

Nevertheless, a few of the best exercises include –

1. Yoga

People can gently relax and enhance their bodies by practising yoga. This is because it promotes mindfulness practises like controlled relaxation and meditation, both of which can be highly beneficial during labour.

Pregnant women can take yoga courses at several studios. Yoga beginners might consider going to one 30-minute class each week. But, those who regularly practise yoga during early pregnancy can frequently keep up their regular schedule.

However, if there are any specific motions, like lying on one's back, that you should avoid, it is better to consult a doctor.

2. Walking and Jogging

Walking is one of the gentlest, lowest impact kinds of exercise, making it perfect as one of the exercises during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, would-be mothers must remember that it should be done on a flat, even surface.

Additionally, walking with the arms swinging in a serene, natural environment rhythmically can cause a little rise in heart rate and can also aid in promoting relaxation and well-being.

Someone who is not used to walking could start by going for a few 10-minute walks each week. With time you can progressively increase the number of 30-minute walks from three to five times per week throughout the first trimester.

Above all, anyone who jogs or walks for an extended period of time should be sure to wear supportive, well-fitting footwear.

3. Low-intensity Weight Training

It is typically safe to engage in relatively light weightlifting throughout the first trimester of pregnancy.

Individuals can better control their weight and increase their general strength by using weights and free weights. Moreover, a stronger core can also aid in increasing stability and lowering the chance of falling.

It should be noted that weights should always be kept in a secure location to protect the foetus. Also, to be on the safe side, mothers can talk to their doctors about this and their intensity before doing exercises.

4. Kegels

Kegel exercises, also known as pelvic floor exercises, focus on strengthening the muscles that support the uterus, vulva, intestine, bladder, etc.

These exercises can also lower the risk of haemorrhoids while maintaining bladder control. To perform this, squeeze the kegel muscles while holding the contraction for five to ten seconds before relaxing. Also, try avoiding engaging any nearby muscles, such as the abs, legs, or glutes.

5. Pilates

Pilates helps enhance balance and core strength, which may lower the chance of falling. Additionally, it can reduce lower back pain caused by weight increase, particularly in front of the body.

People new to pilates can begin by doing a few sessions per week that last between 5 and 10 minutes each. With time, they can then progress to taking part in sessions that run between 30 and 60 minutes. Additionally, people who are used to pilates throughout pregnancy can frequently continue their regular routines during the first trimester.

Also, if there are any specific motions that you think you should avoid, consult a doctor.

6. Swimming and Water Aerobics

Low impact activities like swimming and water aerobics can help maintain the body fit and provide no fall risk. A person's regular activity is most likely to be safe during the first trimester of pregnancy if they are used to swimming or performing water aerobics.

If you wish to start swimming, you can start off by enrolling in two or three 30-minute lessons per week. However, once you gain greater self-assurance, you could attend 30-minute sessions once a week or as frequently as it feels comfortable to you.

7. Spin Classes or Cycling With a Stationary Bike

Due to the possibility of falling and getting hurt, off-road riding, such as mountain biking, is not really a recommended activity for pregnant women.

Spin programmes, stationary bikes, and flat cycling roads are all safe options with substantially fewer dangers. You can try riding for 10 to 15 minutes at a time if you're new to the stationary cycle. If you are comfortable, you could increase the sessions to 30 to 60 minutes.

8. Dancing

A safe and enjoyable form of exercise for pregnant women is undoubtedly dancing. Most importantly, it keeps you flexible and works your heart, lungs, and muscles while keeping you active. As dancing is an aerobic activity, it can count toward the 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week that experts recommend for pregnant women.

Salsa, ballroom dancing, samba, and jazz dancing are all beneficial for staying in shape, particularly in the early stages of pregnancy. However, they can get harder later.

Normal dancing is usually safe as an exercise during the first trimester if everything is going well with your pregnancy and you feel up to it. Individuals should note that when you are pregnant, you should not perform hip-hop, urban, or street dance since some of the movements could make you more likely to trip and fall.

Now that you are expecting a baby, you must consider the responsibility for the development of your child. This is because some activities or exercises may not be appropriate for your developing baby. 

Exercise during pregnancy is good for your health in a number of ways, including better sleep, more strength and endurance, and a brighter attitude. But before you lace up your exercise shoes, it is important to note that there are particular workouts you should avoid performing while pregnant. 

A few of them include –

1. Yoga in Hot Conditions

Yoga for pregnant women is advised. Hot yoga, however, should be avoided because the room can frequently reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater. Such heated circumstances should be avoided by pregnant ladies.

This is because a foetus may experience hyperthermia by being exposed to high temperatures, which can result in birth abnormalities and early labour.

2. Trampoline

It is recommended that pregnant women avoid using trampolines since they increase the risk of falling. Also, it can cause damage to your wrists, ankles, or even the womb, which could affect how your kid is born.

3. Climbing Stairs

It is suggested that pregnant women should not climb stairs since they run the risk of falling or overexerting themselves.

Exercises like climbing stairs should be avoided during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters, since they can strain the back, exacerbate foot swelling, and leave you gasping for air.

4. High-intensity Workouts

Ropes, pulling tyres, moving weights or boxes, and other high-intensity exercises can be harmful to a pregnant woman since they might cause complications with labour and miscarriages. Additionally, it can keep your heart rate up for an extended period of time, which is risky.

5. Contact Sports

It should go without saying, but you can accidentally be playing contact sports for fun with your loved ones in your garden or at the park. It should be noted that with these types of sports, injury possibility considerably rises. These sports include horseback riding, football, basketball, and volleyball.

6. CrossFit

CrossFit includes activities like jumping, heavy lifting, high-intensity exercise, and gymnastics that are not advised during pregnancy. You should avoid performing these while pregnant since they can seriously harm you.

7. Marathon Running

Although it is advised against running such great distances while pregnant, a few individuals prefer to compete in marathons.

Over-exertion may result from this. There is always a possibility that it may raise the temperature of your internal organs. There is also a chance of being dehydrated. Additionally, you have a higher chance of getting a muscular strain. So, extremely long-distance running is just pointless, and it is best to avoid it.

8. Scuba Diving

One of the exercises to avoid during the first trimester is scuba diving. Scuba diving is probably the last thing you want to perform while you are pregnant. This activity should not be done when pregnant under any circumstances since it puts a lot of pressure on the foetus, which can cause congenital disabilities and decompression sickness.

However, apart from these, you should also avoid exercises that may cause abdominal pressure or trauma, high-altitude training, exercises that require you to lie on your back or on your stomach and exercises that demand standing for a long time.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, anyone who frequently exercises while pregnant may reduce the likelihood that they may require a caesarean delivery.

Also, according to a study, the most beneficial form of exercise during first trimester pregnancy is typically aerobic or cardio. However, women must also refrain from performing exercises that are high intensity or can put pressure on the baby or the mother in any way.