Thoughts from Medical Community

Motherhood Strong makes no medical claims and any and all medical decisions about fitness during pregnancy or otherwise should be made between you and your doctor.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

In 2002, ACOG wrote guidelines for excercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period, which they have since reaffirmed in multiple committee opinions.

  • Though pregnancy is a time where some modification is obviously necessary, it should not be considered a period of confinement from exercise.

  • A gradual return postpartum to exercise is encouraged.

  • “In uncomplicated pregnancy, fetal injuries are highly unlikely. Most of the potential fetal risks are hypothetical.”

  • The current recommendation for nonpregnant women is 30 minutes of exercise a day on most if notall days of the week. “In the absence of either medical or obstetric complications, pregnant women could adopt the same recommendation.” ACOG also notes that for women who have been sedentary before pregnancy, a gradual progression to 30 minutes of exercise a day is recommended.

Committee Opinion 650, December 2015 (Reaffirmed 2017)

“A survey of physicians found that more than 60% of physicians were not familiar with the current ACOG guidelines for exercise during pregnancy and postpartum.”
— Hinman SK, et al. Exercise in Pregnancy: A Clinical Review. Sports Health. 2015;7(6):527-531.

Are there benefits or long-lasting effects of exercise during pregnancy?
Yes!

2015 Exercise In Pregnancy: A Clinical Review

  • Glucose levels are lower in physically active women, and exercise can be used as an intervention to treat gestational diabetes.

  • Exercise can help to regulate maternal weight gain and reduces the risk of large-for-gestational age newborns. These are concerns that accompany a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

  • It has been reported that hypertensive complications like preeclampsia are less likely in women who exercise before and during pregnancy.

  • The idea that exercise could take maternal blood away from the fetus in a negative way is false. Conversely, “an increase in total vascular volume, capillary surface area, and parenchymal density was demonstrated in the placentas of women delivering at term who had exercised during the first half or all of their pregnancy.”

  • The great benefit of exercise during pregnancy is that there is a reported lower percentage of cesarean section and instrument assisted vaginal deliveries, along with a shortened durations of labor.

Hinman SK, et al. Exercise in Pregnancy: A Clinical Review. Sports Health. 2015;7(6):527-531.