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Exercise in Pregnancy

A recent Danish study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reports an association between high intensity exercise in first trimester and miscarriage. The authors found that women who exercised more than 7 hours per week had a 3.7% increased risk of miscarriage when compared to nonexercisers. In particular "high-impact exercise" was associated with risk of miscarriage. There was no association between pregnancy loss and exercise after 18 weeks of pregnancy. This study did not find any increased incidence of miscarriage in women who exercised less than seven hours per week. Because this is a retrospective study, the data is not as reliable as in other studies, but a little moderation is a good thing! Keep walking, but back off the marathon training in your first trimester!

Madsen M et. al. Leisure time physical exercise during pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage: a study within the Danish National Birth Cohort. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 9-18-2007.