Is vigorous exercise safe during the third trimester of pregnancy?

Kassia Beetham

writer

Kassia Beetham

Exercise Physiology Lecturer, Australian Catholic University

Kassia Beetham

Expectant mothers receive an avalanche of information about potential risks to their baby. There’s a growing list of foods, toxins and environmental threats to avoid. It’s normal for this to lead to an increased level of anxiety.

As a result, some women believe it’s safer to avoid any risks in pregnancy, no matter how small. Vigorous exercise may be considered one of these risks.

But we’ve recently reviewed the research and found vigorous exercise is safe during pregnancy, including in the third trimester. And not only is it safe; it’s healthy, too.

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