I am 17 weeks pregnant. Yesterday, during an acrobatic performance, I dropped from a bridge (backbend) to a lying down position, causing a light impact to my lower back, on the back of my pelvis. I have also continued to do jumps, tumbling, rapid core motions, and contortions throughout my pregnancy. I am very fit and none of these movements caused me any pain or discomfort, but I am concerned now reading about the effect of impact exercise on pregnancy. How likely is it that these activities hurt my baby, and if so, are there benefits to detecting such injury immediately? I have a diagnostic ultrasound scheduled for 10 days from now - should I try to schedule one immediately? I am 28 and this is my first child.

And what does your Physician say about your acrobatic performances while pregnant?

Yes, I'd speak to a Doctor.

The general rule is that any exercise you did before you got pregnant, and are good at, you can continue, but should adjust the intensity to take account of the pregnancy. I would add that if you do something with a high potential for injury, you should tone it down to the point where injury is unlikely.

Bear in mind that your ligaments will loosen as the pregnancy goes on, making some movements more likely to result in injury.

The OP was pregnant in April 2011 - I would "guess" she's had the baby by now.

I was told - when pregnant - to do NOTHING, NO exercise, without clearing it with my Doctor. Maybe it varies by patient.

Judy, who told you that? Were you a high risk pregnancy? Was your doctor an expert in exercise in pregnancy?

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Originally Posted by Eileen G

Judy, who told you that? Were you a high risk pregnancy? Was your doctor an expert in exercise in pregnancy?

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My Doctor told me; I was high risk; I don't know if the Doctor was an expert on exercise in pregnancy. I know he was an MD - I didn't realize there was a side "exercise in pregnancy" credential.

I continue to believe that the "pre-pregnancy" routine should NOT be the same as the "pregnancy" routine - tumbling, jumps and contortions? In a "normal" pregnancy I believe this is inappropriate and perhaps dangerous.

It's a bit different for a high risk pregnancy.

There is good research to show that women who are active during pregnancy have shorter deliveries with fewer complications or interventions, and are more likely to deliver close to their due date. So for most pregnancies, the old advice of "rest and take it easy" doesn't apply.

The problem is knowing exactly where to draw the line, so the normal advice is that if you are good at an activity, so that you can do it with a low risk of injury, to continue, but to adjust intensity to your comfort level. But obviously that advice won't work for every case, which is where you need a doctor who is a specialist in the area.