Strenuous physical exercise has previously been suggested to increase the risk of placental abruption. The immediate risk of placental abruption was 7.8-fold higher in the hour following MVPA compared with periods of lower activity or rest, and this was greater following heavy intensity exercise.

While this advice and concern come from a good place, the truth is, running is generally safe during pregnancy. Running won’t cause a miscarriage or harm your baby. So if you were a runner pre-pregnancy, continuing your routine is totally fine.

During an ultrasound, high-frequency sound waves create an image of your uterus on a monitor. It’s not always possible to see a placental abruption on an ultrasound, however.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment that can stop the placenta from detaching and there is no way to reattach it. Any type of placental abruption can lead to premature birth and low birth weight. In cases where severe placental abruption occurs, approximately 15% will end in fetal death.

If you and your pregnancy are healthy, exercise won’t increase your risk of having a miscarriage (when a baby dies in the womb before 20 weeks of pregnancy), a premature baby (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or a baby born with low birthweight (less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces).

There is no evidence to suggest that exercise can harm your pregnancy. It has not been shown to increase the chance of miscarriage, birth defects, or premature labor. Studies show no relationship between exercise and fetal distress or fetal heart rate changes.

Too much exercise without adequate recovery time can take a toll on your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off colds and infections. Hormonal shifts during pregnancy can lead to mood swings in some women, but overexercising and not getting enough rest can affect your mood as well.