Can I Exercise With a Low-Lying Placenta?

Your baby's placenta attaches to the inside of your uterus early in pregnancy. As the uterus grows, the placenta attachment site typically moves upward and away from the cervix, or opening to the uterus, according to Cleveland Clinic.

However, if your placenta is close to the cervix during your pregnancy, your doctor may advise you to take special precautions to reduce the risk of complications. This could include modifying or restricting exercise.

Read on to learn more about if you can exercise with a low-lying placenta.

What Is a Low-Lying Placenta?

A low-lying placenta is located close to the cervix, but does not cover the cervical opening at all. According to a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a low-lying placenta is an internal cervical os distance of 2 centimeters or less without any part of the os (the opening of the cervix) being covered.

The same study associated a low-lying placenta with the following complications:

• Antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage
• Hospitalization
• Cesarean delivery
• Small-for-gestational-age neonates

An ultrasound is used to diagnose a low-lying placenta and, if present, the distance from the edge of your placenta to your cervix.

If the placenta covers the cervix completely, it is known instead of placenta previa, according to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service.

Exercising With a Low-Lying Placenta

If you have a low-lying placenta, your doctor may caution you to limit or avoid exercise.

The risk of a low-lying placenta to you and your baby depends on many factors, including the distance of the placenta to the cervix and how far along you are in your pregnancy.

For example, if you’re early in your pregnancy and the placental edge is several centimeters away from your cervix, you might be encouraged to walk or engage in light exercise, as the placental edge will likely migrate away from the cervix as your pregnancy progresses.

But if you are in your third trimester and your placenta is just a half centimeter away from your cervix, your doctor might recommend that you avoid exercise.

Cautions

A low-lying placenta can become a serious issue. Talk with your doctor regarding exercise if you have a low-lying placenta.

If you have been told your placenta is low-lying, your doctor may advise you to exercise caution and reduce your activity, refrain from intercourse, and closely observe the area for vaginal bleeding in case the placenta touches or covers the cervix.

Always discuss your particular diagnosis and precautions with your doctor. Seek emergency care if you experience new or unexplained bleeding during pregnancy.