Exercise to Reduce Nausea

Most of us don’t think about working out while we’re busy playing another round of “anything I taste or smell sends me running for the bathroom.” Maybe we should.

Most medical experts agree that moderate levels of exercise are safe and beneficial for pregnant women. It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor, especially if your pregnancy involves any complications or unusual circumstances, but most women can exercise safely for most of their pregnancies.

Many women claim that exercise helps to lessen the symptoms of morning sickness. One study even suggests that regular exercise lowers your chances of having to deal with morning sickness at all.

There are many types of exercise which are appropriate during your first trimester of pregnancy, when morning sickness is most common. You should avoid contact sports and exercise which jars your body, but otherwise most light to moderate exercises are fine. Some which have been noted to be particularly helpful for women with morning sickness include:

  • Water Aerobics. Being in the water helps ease morning sickness. Water aerobics can be tailored to the amount of exertion you’re able to handle. It’s also helps you keep cool, an added bonus in the summer months.
  • Walking. Walking is low impact while giving you the opportunity for some fresh air. It can also be soothing for morning sickness (though it might not be a good idea to go for a walk after you’re already nauseous).
  • Running/Jogging. There’s nothing wrong with running or jogging if you had been doing it before you became pregnant. Some runners have claimed that running during their first trimester helped reduce morning sickness.
  • Low impact aerobics. Don’t overdo it, but low impact aerobics are great for reducing stress and are believed to help with morning sickness as well.
  • Pilates. In addition to offering relief from morning sickness symptoms, Pilates workouts can help you build your core muscles, which can make delivery a bit easier.
  • Swimming. As with water aerobics, simply being in the water helps alleviate morning sickness symptoms. Swimming is actually good for you and baby throughout your entire pregnancy, and is one of the easiest exercises to do in later trimesters.

Regardless of which type of exercise you try to help with morning sickness, make sure that you stay hydrated and that you don’t overdo it. If you’re feeling tired and fatigued, it’s time to stop and rest for a while.