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Top 9 Warning Signs That You Should Stop Exercising

If you are a first time expecting mother, or if this is the first time you have considered exercising while pregnant, you may not know how your body will react to exercise. Because of this, it is important to start slowly and to know what warning signs you should look out for.

Your body is changing, and your center of gravity will shift. Once you begin to carry more weight you will tire quickly. Therefore, you need to pay close attention to your body when you are exercising. The way your body reacts will let you know if you are pushing yourself too hard.

Essentially, the exercises you perform should leave you feeling:

Refreshed
Energized
Relaxed

You should never feel:

Tired
Out of breath
Overheated

That being said, the following are some common signs and symptoms you need to watch for when you exercise.

Nausea
If you feel nauseous after you’ve exercised this could mean that too much lactic acid (something your muscles produce during exercise) has built up in your stomach. If after you’ve cooled down the nausea remains, contact your health care provider.

Dizziness
If you experience persistent dizziness or dizziness with other symptoms such as a headache, palpitations or blurred vision, this could be an indication that you are suffering from anemia or another illness that could have an affect on your pregnancy. Should these symptoms persist after you have had time to cool down, contact your heath care provider.

Blurred Vision
If while you are exercising you find that your vision is blurred, this could be an indication that you are dehydrated. This could result in your baby not receiving the necessary blood he/she needs for the development of vital organs. This symptom could also be a sign of preeclampsia, which is a condition that can put your baby in great danger. You need to call your health care provider immediately if you are experiencing this symptom. If you cannot reach them, you need to go to an emergency room.

Fainting
Fainting is never something you should overlook when you are pregnant. Fainting is often seen as a sign that you are dehydrated or may be suffering from some other circulatory problem. If your fainting is the result of not getting enough oxygen to your brain, this means that your baby isn’t receiving enough oxygen either. Call your health care provider immediately. If they are unavailable, go to the emergency room.

Heart Palpitations
You need to make sure that your heart rate does not exceed 140 beats per minute. If your heart will not stop racing after you have cooled down, call you healthcare provider.

Sudden Body Temperature Change
If your hands become clammy or you start to get hot or cold flashes during exercise, your body is trying to tell you that your internal temperature is out of control. Sudden temperature change can be harmful to your developing baby. Just as your body overheats, so does your baby. What makes matters worse is that while your body works to try and cool itself, it will take the blood from the uterus and direct it to your skin, which puts your baby in danger. If your body temperature does not get under control after you have cooled down, contact your health care provider.

Vaginal Bleeding
Although it is not uncommon for some women to experience light spotting throughout their pregnancy, vaginal bleeding is a serous concern. If it occurs early in your pregnancy, it could indicate a miscarriage. During the second and third trimester, vaginal bleeding could be a sign of premature labor. Bleeding could also be associated with other serious medical conditions such as placenta abruption or placenta previa. If you experience vaginal bleeding, you need to contact your health care provider right away. If they cannot be reached, go to the emergency room.

Excessive swelling in your feet, ankles and hands
It is not uncommon for your feet, ankles and hands to puff up slightly after you exercise. However, if you find that you have more swelling than usual, this could be a sign that you have a medical condition know as preeclampsia. If the swelling doesn’t go away a few hours after you have cooled down, contact your health care provider.

Sharp, recurring pain in your chest or abdomen
For some women this could simply be an indication that their ligaments are stretching. For others it could be the first sings of labor. Since you can’t take a chance on which category of pregnant women you fall into if you are experiencing this symptom, you should contact your health care provider right away. Your health care provider will probably have you hooked up to a fetal monitor to determine whether or not you’re in labor.

Other symptoms to watch for include:

-Headache
-Decreased movement of the fetus
-Difficult or labored breathing prior to exercising
-Change in vaginal fluids
-Chest pain
-Pelvic pain
-Unusual pain

You should never push yourself to the limit. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms you need to STOP exercising right away! Contact your health care provider, and do not begin any other exercise or stretches until your doctor or midwife says it is safe to do so.

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