Jumping During Pregnancy: Is It Safe?

Jumping may be inadvisable at this time, but there are safer ways to stay fit.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Swati Chitnis, MS, DNB Dr. Swati Chitnis Dr. Swati ChitnisMS, DNB MomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on LinkedinFollow MomJunction on Instagram Specialty: Obstetrics & GynecologyExperience: 8 years
Written by , MSc shreeja pillai MSc Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Pharma and HealthExperience: 2.5 years
Edited by , BSc Rebecca Malachi BSc Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Pregnancy, Health and WellnessExperience: 12 years
Fact-checked by , MSc Aneesha Amonz MSc Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Health and WellnessExperience: 2 years
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A pregnant lady doing some jumping exercise

Image: ShutterStock

Many women who exercise regularly to stay fit might worry about the safety of jumping during pregnancy. While light exercises during pregnancy are beneficial for blood circulation and muscle growth, obstetrics advise women to stay away from intense exercises such as jumping ropes or sacks, which may increase the risk of pregnancy complications.

Jumping exercises may loosen the ligaments, cause injury, and lead to miscarriage. Therefore, you should exercise caution and follow safety tips to stay healthy during pregnancy.

Read about the adverse effects of prenatal jumping exercise and some useful safety tips for a risk-free pregnancy.

In This Article

Safe Exercises For Pregnant Women

There are some cardio, aerobic and strength training exercises that women can safely indulge in as a part of their antenatal care plan. Some of them are:

  • Swimming
  • Walking
  • Cycling (on a stationary bike)

    Pregnant women should exercise only on a stationary bike

    Image: Shutterstock

  • Light Weight training
  • Low-impact aerobic exercise
  • Prenatal Yoga
  • Light stretching exercises

protip_icon Quick fact
Modified pilates and weight training with low weights are also considered to be safe for expecting mothers (5).

How Are Light Exercises Beneficial For Pregnant Woman?

Light exercises help regulate weight gain during pregnancy

Image: Shutterstock

There are different types of prenatal exercises like stretching, walking, swimming or yoga that are beneficial for maternal health. You can go ahead and choose a fitness regimen during your pregnancy that suits you. Here is a list of the benefits of practicing such light exercises during pregnancy:

  • Regulates weight gain
  • Boosts your mood and energy level
  • Improves the blood circulation
  • Promotes muscle tone, strength, and endurance
  • Helps reduce backaches, constipation, bloating, and swelling
  • Improves the quality of sleep

protip_icon Quick fact
Exercising may help reduce your risk of cesarean birth, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia (6).

Harmful Effects Of Jumping During Pregnancy

Is it safe to jump rope while pregnant? Well, there are several harmful health effects of practicing jumping exercises while expecting your baby. Some of them are the following:

  • Increases The Risk Of Ligament Injury: During the delicate phase of pregnancy, a woman’s body produces and releases the Relaxin hormone. The hormone loosens the ligaments in the pelvic region. As the ligaments soften, they become more prone to injuries. If a pregnant woman takes up a strenuous workout like jumping exercises, she is likely to injure or even fracture her ligaments and joints.
Pregnancy may make a woman more prone to ligament injuries

Image: Shutterstock

  • Causes Preterm Labor: The uterus of a pregnant woman grows large during pregnancy and exerts enormous pressure on the cervix. Jumping can cause frictional impact between the uterus and cervix and may lead to preterm labor and delivery.
  • Increases The Risk of Miscarriage: During pregnancy, the center of gravity shifts due to the growing baby bump and you are at a greater risk of losing your balance and falling or even suffering a miscarriage.
  • Causes Vaginal Bleeding: Jumping ropes involves a jarring movement and requires pelvic pressure. It could sometimes cause vaginal bleeding and premature contractions in pregnant women.

Tips For Exercising Safely During Pregnancy

Tips for exercising safely during pregnancy

Image: Shutterstock

You can follow a few safety tips to exercise right and enjoy a healthy pregnancy. There are certain precautionary measures you can take to reduce the risk of accidental injury or miscarriage during pregnancy. Go ahead and check them out!

  • Wear loose fitting and comfortable clothes, to perform the exercises smoothly.
  • Choose the right kind of exercising shoes and maintain a proper posture to increase your flexibility and grip.
  • Practice exercises on a flat surface to prevent injury or sudden fall.
  • Drink a lot of water and fluids to prevent dehydration.
  • Seek medical guidance from your health practitioner, before trying new exercises.
protip_icon Quick tip
Use a sports bra or a belly support belt to exercise safely during pregnancy (6).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should I stop jumping during pregnancy?

Avoid high-impact exercises that involve jumping, especially after the second trimester or if you have a high-risk pregnancy. However, high-performance athletes can usually continue to exercise if their pregnancy is not complicated (1) (2).

2. Can jerks cause miscarriage early pregnancy?

Simple jerks are not impactful enough to cause miscarriage in early pregnancy. However, you should be cautious and try to avoid it as much as possible.

3. Can I perform jumping jacks during pregnancy?

No. Jumping jacks are considered high-impact exercises that are not generally recommended for pregnant women (2) (3).

4. Which exercises should be avoided during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, avoid exercises that put pressure on your tummy and require you to lie flat on your back for an extended period. Also, avoid contact sports, high-impact exercises, and exercises at altitudes greater than 2,500 meters above sea level (2) (4).

5. Is it safe to jump on a trampoline during pregnancy?

Trampolines are not considered safe during pregnancy as it may increase the risk of falls and injuries (7).

Exercises involving jumping during pregnancy may put you at risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage and premature labor. If you are keen to follow your regular workout or gym while pregnant, you may follow a light prenatal care exercise routine after taking your doctor’s consent. Although different forms of exercise aid in following a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy, strenuous activities, including jumping are some exercises to avoid during pregnancy. Instead, you may choose safe exercises such as yoga or walking that help maintain your fitness levels while enjoying a healthy pregnancy.

Infographic: What You Should Know About Jumping In Pregnancy?

Exercise is beneficial for your health, even during pregnancy. However, exercises involving jumping or jumping-like movements are often not recommended in pregnancy to avoid the risk of injuries. Go through the infographic to know more about jumping in pregnancy.

facts about jumping in pregnancy (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • Jumping is not recommended during pregnancy as it may cause injuries, preterm labor, or even miscarriage.
  • Hormonal and physical changes during pregnancy may loosen the ligaments and joints, which is why high-impact activities (such as jumping) could be unsafe.
  • Alternative exercises, such as walking, swimming, prenatal yoga, or stationary cycling, are considered safer options for pregnant women.
  • Low-impact exercises are great for regulating weight gain, promoting muscle strength, and improving sleep and energy levels during pregnancy.
  • It is ideal to consult a doctor before starting any physical activity and choose the right and safe exercise routine during pregnancy.

Illustration: Jumping During Pregnancy - Is It Safe?

Jumping During Pregnancy_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. 3 Myths About Exercise and Pregnancy.
    https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/staying-healthy-during-pregnancy/3-myths-about-exercise-and-pregnancy
  2. Activities to Avoid During Pregnancy.
    https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/activities-to-avoid-during-pregnancy/
  3. HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training).
    https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/high-intensity-interval-training/
  4. Exercise in pregnancy
    https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/exercise/
  5. Exercise during pregnancy
    https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/pregnancy/exercise-during-pregnancy
  6. Exercise During Pregnancy
    https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/exercise-during-pregnancy
  7. Keeping active during and after pregnancy.
    https://www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/media/365948/Keeping-active-during-and-after-pregnancy.pdf
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Dr. Swati Chitnis
Dr. Swati ChitnisMS, DNB
Dr. Swati Chitnis is a gynecologist and endoscopic surgeon with over 8 years of experience. She did her bachelor in medicine at BJ Medical College & Sassoon Hospital, Pune, India  and MS at the prestigious King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

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shreeja pillai
shreeja pillaiMSc
Shreeja holds a postgraduate degree in Chemistry and diploma in Drug Regulatory Affairs from the University of Mumbai. Before joining MomJunction, she worked as a research analyst with a leading multinational pharmaceutical company.

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Rebecca Malachi
Rebecca MalachiBSc
Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

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Aneesha Amonz
Aneesha AmonzMSc
Aneesha holds a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from USTM, Meghalaya and Master’s degree in Applied Microbiology from VIT, Vellore. With two years of experience, she has worked on different research projects in the field of Food Sciences.

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