The pregnant woman should moderate her work and rest. The pregnant woman should not have overrest, for overrest causes qi stagnation; the pregnant woman should not have overstrain, for overstrain results in qi deficiency." A proper amount of movement is beneficial to the fetal development and can prevent dystocia as well.

The pregnant woman can only do ordinary house work, but can not move and lift heavy objects due to the reaction of pregnancy at the early stage of pregnancy. Working at night and undertaking heavy physical labor are both not advisable. She should often go outdoors to take a walk, breathe in fresh air and receive sunlight.

At the stage of midpregnancy, the pregnant woman should not have overrest, but should undertake a certain amount of physical labor and a proper amount of exercise like Taijiquan and traveling. Nevertheless, she should avoid strenuous exercises such as riding a horse, cycling, swimming and running.

At the late stage of pregnancy, rest is mainly advisable. However, the pregnant woman should not oversleep with indulgence in it. She may take a walk regularly and have the proper exercise to await the right time for labor.

The pregnant woman should have sufficient sleeping time of 8 hours each night. This should be guaranteed. At the late stage of pregnancy, she should have bed rest of an hour at noon. The sleeping time should be further increased and the left lateral position assumed in sleeping several weeks before the parturient time. More information, please click to read Overwork and Over-Rest.