Is It Safe To Play Tennis During Pregnancy?

The joy of conceiving and becoming a mother is irreplaceable. Once the good news is confirmed, you want to do everything that is right for you and your growing baby.

The stages and symptoms of pregnancy differ from one woman to another. Similarly, the decisions about whether to keep on exercising, swimming or engaging in other physical activities during your pregnancy is something that is entirely dependent on your lifestyle, pregnancy symptoms and habits.

Playing Tennis During Pregnancy:

Many tennis players keep on playing the game until the end of their pregnancy term. However, several other women swear off from even picking up the racket during pregnancy. It can definitely be a big choice to make, while so much is at stake.

Precautions You Need to Consider Before:

Understanding the relation between tennis and pregnancy will help you take the right decision of whether or not to play tennis when you are pregnant.

1. Consulting Your Doctor:

This should be the first step.

• If you have been playing tennis for long, you will most likely not have much problem continuing it during pregnancy, as your body is particularly used to the sports and its strain.
• Remember that in some cases the pregnancy can be complicated. Hence prior consultation with your doc is recommended.
• If you are not a regular at playing tennis, you should definitely not start with the game during your pregnancy. Starting a new physical activity while you are pregnant will cause a lot of strain on your body, as your body is not particularly prepared for it.

Depending upon your health and your medical history, your doctor may or may not allow you to play tennis. In any case, there are bound to be certain restrictions and guidelines even if you play during your pregnancy.

[ Read: Walking During Pregnancy ]

2. Listen To Your Body:

It is important to take care of your body as tennis requires fast reflexes, balance and lots of energy.

• Pregnancy takes away your energy and as it progresses, your reflexes slow down. As the weight of your baby increases, your ability to balance your body decreases. In such circumstances, you are more prone to fall down, get hurt and in turn hurt your baby as well.
• Even if your doctor has consented to your playing tennis, you should take it one day at a time.
• Pregnancy can lead to mood swings and good as well as bad health days. If you are feeling particularly bright one day you may feel like playing, but immediately the next day you can feel down and tired.
• Since tennis requires you to contact the ball, you stand a good chance to be injured. You should play tennis only and only if you have been playing tennis before and have a good judgment of the speed of the ball during volleying.

Listen to what your body says. If it is asking for rest, simply relax or try yoga postures that are beneficial during pregnancy.

3. Changes In The Balance:

Change in the body weight can make balancing your body difficult.

• No one can predict the amount of gravity changes that can occur in your body as you progresses towards the third trimester.
• It is advisable to play only for fun and not for winning, as you should avoid wide balls so that you do not lose your balance and fall.

While moderate exercising is beneficial during pregnancy, it is not recommended that you play something as strenuous as tennis during these months.

[ Read: Running During Pregnancy ]

Pregnancy is a very delicate time, and you should give your body the due rest and care it deserves. Your doctor is undoubtedly the best judge of your physical condition and past medical records, so make sure you listen to everything he or she prescribes.

Hope you will follow these precautions before playing tennis during pregnancy. Don’t forget to share your experiences with us.

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