Pickleball Tips for Playing During Pregnancy

Safe and Empowering Pickleball Tips for Playing During Pregnancy

Pickleball is a rising popular sport that is low-impact and is a great way for folks to get up and get active. Players are reaping the benefits of an improved cardio fitness level, hand-eye coordination, and are making the best friends out on the pickleball court. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.

Healthy pregnant woman in pink clothing sitting on fitness ball and training outdoors in the park

That being said, being pregnant while playing pickleball carries different precautions with strokes, physical condition, and other things. You should ask your doctor about what they think about starting a new physical activity. This article is about the tips, techniques, and specific advice for pregnant pickleball players after your doctor’s approval.

Understanding the Benefits of Playing Pickleball During Pregnancy

Staying active during pregnancy is great for both mom’s and baby’s physical and mental health. It lowers the risk of gestational diabetes and promotes cardiovascular health. Endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, enter your bloodstream and improve your mood in an instant. The amount of endorphins in your bloodstream will not only make you happier and less stressed but also increases the duration and quality of your sleep, something you may begin to lack while pregnant.

Pickleball is a great sport to play while pregnant and lets you control how hard the regular physical strain pushing down on your body is. A bonus benefit is that pickleball is extremely social, so staying active is fun and rewarding. It is a great hobby to enjoy during pregnancy while maintaining good physical well-being.

Consult Your Doctor Before Playing

It is always very important to seek a physician’s advice before starting or continuing pickleball while pregnant. This will ensure you are receiving the best care to maintain both your health and your baby’s health.

Pregnant woman and personal trainer feeling achieved

You should consider and discuss factors such as your overall health, pre-existing health conditions, and the presence of any complications related to your pregnancy. You may have conditions such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, or a history of preterm labor that could impact your ability to continue pickleball or other physical activities.

Along with the status of your health, you should also consider what trimester you are in. Some women may feel more capable and energetic to play during the earlier trimesters of their pregnancy, but physical changes with the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, like the belly bump, may severely affect your balance and coordination during play. A general rule of thumb is to continue exercising at a rate before you became pregnant. When it comes to pickleball, the 3rd trimester of pregnancy should raise a red flag.

Consult with a health care professional before participating in sporting events while pregnant. They are skilled in determining exercises that are unsafe for you to participate in during pregnancy. They can also help identify safe alternative exercises that you can perform during pregnancy. Many women who find out they are pregnant early into their pregnancy but are eager to finish out the current pickleball season or league they are playing in may struggle with the decision of determining whether or not they should sit out or how long they should continue to play. A health care professional can be the best resource, their advice is tailored to you and your health.

Safe Pickleball Tips for Pregnant Players

It’s important to listen to your body and be aware of how you’re feeling before you get injured. This applies to all players but especially to those players who may be pregnant. The tricky thing is that there aren’t really detailed warning signs when it comes to fatigue or maybe even a lack of physical health. If you’re worried about the high intensity, maybe you should adjust how you’re playing. Try low-impact, low-intensity alternatives. Don’t forget to hydrate and snack to keep the energy levels up.

Fit young woman exercising during her pregnancy standing smiling at the camera with a gym mat in one hand.

Playing is a really positive thing. It’s important to find activities that make you happy, relaxing, and accommodate your health. Building a positive mindset while playing is essential for your mental space.

Before starting any type of physical activity during pregnancy, you should always consult with a healthcare professional. Every pregnancy journey is different and only a doctor can give advice based on individual and unique health conditions. Even after approval, while plays are in motion, listen to your body. Stop playing if anything seems remotely off or discomforting.

Pickleball can bring so much fun to pregnant moms. This can be a great time to get away from the stress of life, get some fresh air, move your body, and socialize with your friends. But playing shouldn’t replace your responsibility for your own well-being and safety.