When to Stop Exercising During Pregnancy
Exercise during pregnancy is safe and beneficial for most women. There are some symptoms to be aware of during exercise, and some conditions where it is important to have a conversation with whoever is supporting you through your pregnancy before you exercise or continue exercising. These decisions are best made together.
Stop exercising and contact the health professional supporting you through your pregnancy if you experience any of the following:
Headache
Dizziness or feeling faint
Heart palpitations
Chest pain
Swelling of the face, hands or feet
Calf pain or swelling
Vaginal bleeding
Contractions
Deep back, pubic or pelvic pain
Cramping in the lower abdomen
Nausea or vomiting
Walking difficulties
An unusual change in your baby’s movements
Amniotic fluid leakage
Unexplained shortness of breath
Excessive fatigue
Muscle weakness
If you have any of the following conditions, talk with the health professional supporting you through your pregnancy before exercising. These are decisions to make together, not alone:
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Pulmonary or venous thrombus
Low lying placenta (placenta praevia)
Foetal growth restriction
Vaginal bleeding
Pre-eclampsia
Bone or joint problems that may be worsened by physical activity
Indicators of increased risk of premature labour, including multiple pregnancy, ruptured membranes, premature contractions, or shortened cervical length
Severe anaemia
Poorly controlled pre-existing medical conditions including asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or thyroid disease.
A note on individual variation
Every pregnancy is different. If you are unsure whether a particular activity is safe for you specifically, the health professional supporting you through your pregnancy is the right person to ask.
For evidence-based guidance on exercise during pregnancy, see WHEN’s Exercise and Pregnancy Guidelines. [link]
References
Women’s Health Education Network. Exercise and Pregnancy Guidelines. Version 2, reviewed April 2026. when.org.au
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Exercise in Pregnancy. Updated 2023. ranzcog.edu.au
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period. Committee Opinion 804, 2020. acog.org
Developed by the WHEN Clinical Team
Clinically reviewed by the WHEN Clinical Governance Committee
Last reviewed: 22/06/2026
With clinical input from Peta Titter, RN, Advanced Diploma of Pilates, continence nurse specialist. PhD candidate, University of Tasmania. Founder and CEO, WHEN.
With clinical input from Dr Rhea Psereckis, FRACGP, FAFPHM, Public Health Physician and General Practitioner. Master of Applied Epidemiology scholar.
