For expectant parents facing an fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT)-affected pregnancy, exercise is often a gray area—something that can feel both important for health and potentially concerning for safety.
Is exercise safe during an FNAIT-affected pregnancy?
Generally, low-impact exercise is encouraged in pregnancy, as it is important for expecting mothers to remain physically fit. Pelvic floor exercises are particularly encouraged because they can strengthen bladder control and ease the delivery process. If you are unsure what pelvic floor exercises are, speak to any healthcare professional involved in your pregnancy care and they will be able to point you to pictures or videos of how these exercises can be safely performed.
However, the presence of FNAIT presents an additional safety concern. Remember that the fetus in a pregnancy affected by FNAIT is at an increased risk of bleeding. Out of an abundance of caution, it would be advisable to avoid high-impact exercises, such as sprinting and the lifting of heavy weights.
Read more about FNAIT testing and diagnosis
In addition, because you may be given certain therapies that are necessary to reduce potential complications in FNAIT, you may experience side effects such as fatigue and nausea. In such situations, it is important for you to listen to your body. Start your workouts slow, and maintain them at an intensity that does not push your body too aggressively.
Monitoring your pregnancy
It is important that you continue to attend all your scheduled doctor appointments throughout your pregnancy as these are opportunities for your doctor to detect if something is wrong. During antenatal visits, your doctor will check on both your health and that of your baby. If your doctor finds anything of concern, your doctor will be able to initiate appropriate therapies to ensure your safety and that of your baby.
In addition, if you experience problems such as vaginal bleeding and decreased fetal movements, it is important for you to let your doctor know as soon as possible. This is the case whether this occurs during exercise or at any other moment. If you are unsure if anything is wrong, it is a good idea to stop all exercises and see a doctor as soon as you can. Your doctor will be able to let you know whether it is safe for you to resume exercising.
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