Many people want to start families, and a lot of those people also happen to play tennis. But if you want to continue with your hobby in the midst of starting a family, you might get worried- after all, you don’t want to hurt your child, but you also want to continue doing what you love. So is it safe to play tennis while pregnant, or should you stay off the court for another nine months?

Of Course You Can Still Play

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology actually recommends an exercise routine during pregnancy. It can help reduce back and muscle pains, as well as improve your mental state and reduce the risk of heart and lung malfunctions. While you might want to modify your routine a little, you don’t need to quit at all- you can even still try your hand at competitions and championships, if you desire. If you’re concerned about whether or not your usual routine will be right for the first trimester, consult with your OBGyn for more information.

Don’t Go Outside of Your Doctor’s Guidance

However, some parts of the sport might not be right for everyone. When in doubt, always talk to your doctor before trying anything new. While tennis is rated as a low-risk sport, and most people will be able to continue play during pregnancy, there’s always the possibility of danger- so if you start having a persistent headache, muscle weakness, chest pains, or swelling, make sure to talk to your doctor before continuing to play. You might have to change your practice schedule or take a break for awhile before continuing play.

Tennis has often been cited as the sport of a lifetime for a reason – it’s great exercise at any point in time, even when you’re pregnant.