Are there any exercises that are not safe during pregnancy? Contact sports and those done lying flat on your back should be avoided by pregnant women. Exercises that cause any pain or injury should obviously...
Exercises that cause any pain or injury should obviously be avoided altogether. Some sports or activities are dangerous to pregnant women such as contact sports. Baseball, basketball, football, ice hockey, handball, soccer and volleyball all should be avoided. The reason these sports are dangerous is the risk of falling or colliding or getting hit on the stomach. Car racing, fencing and wrestling, are also sports that should not be practiced when pregnant.
In terms of strength training, toning or weight lifting, for example, most exercises can be done. With my clients, I do a full body workout with pregnancy specific exercises and modify the exercises to the stage of the pregnancy and also to the mom's fitness level and how she is feeling that day. For example, after the 16th week, exercises that require you to lie on your back should be avoided as it could lessen the blood flow to the fetus.
