Several physiological responses to pregnancy diminish your body’s ability to maintain adequate balance, and place you at higher risk for injury and falls.

During the latter part of pregnancy and the postpartum period, ligament laxity creates dynamic instability in joints. (For more information see the Physiological Changes during Pregnancy page of this web site.) The body’s center of gravity is in a state of flux during pregnancy, slowly shifting up and forward as the uterus and baby grows. Because the body has no prior neuromuscular experience of it’s new and evolving center point, it is inherently less coordinated and less adept at remaining in balance and/or righting itself as necessary. And lastly, because the area surrounding your center of gravity is larger and heavier, you will need to exert more effort to move efficiently.


A Time for Extra Caution

Because balance is compromised during pregnancy and through about six months postpartum (until the ligaments have returned to their former length), you should avoid all activities that increase the risk of falling, such as using a ladder, or hiking on steep or uneven terrain. Most trip-and-fall injuries occur when walking down stairs and stepping off curbs. (For more information on how to take precautions during this period of compromised balance, please see the Ankles, at the Common Pregnancy and Postpartum Discomforts page of this web site.)



Conditions that Place You at Higher Risk for Injury

You should be particularly vigilant if you have a history of ankle sprain or
patella dislocation. These injuries put you at a significantly higher risk for falling in the last half of pregnancy and postpartum period.

To maintain good neuromuscular control and help prevent injury, regularly include simple balance exercises in your workout routine during and after pregnancy.



Simple Balance Exercise for Pregnancy

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