Physical Activity & Pregnancy

THE FIGURES & RECOMMENDATIONS

(Mottola MF, et al., 2018)

• An accumulation of 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week is recommended in order to achieve the health benefits and reduce risks of pregnancy complications
• Exercise over a minimum of 3 days per week, however daily exercise is encouraged
• Variety is key in order to achieve greater benefits
• Pelvic floor muscle training can be performed daily in order to reduce risk of urinary incontinence
• Exercising flat on the back should be modified if the pregnant women is experiencing light headedness, nausea or feeling unwell
• TAKE HOME MESSAGE: All women WITHOUT contraindications should be participating in physical activity during pregnancy

THE FALSE CONCEPTIONS

• Exercise will harm the baby. The evidence has shown that there are no increased risks of miscarriage or a small baby when undertaking physical activity during pregnancy
• Heart rate should be below 140 beats per minute. This is an outdated guideline from the 80s and there was no evidence to even support this guideline, it was based on expert opinion.
• Exercise needs to be at a gym or with group fitness. Lots of studies that were looked at were walking programmes. Additionally, moderate intensity physical activity can include gardening, mowing the lawns and some household chores.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & PREGNANCY

There are other considerations specific to the mother during pregnancy and physical activity. These include, but are not limited to, the pelvic floor and risk of overload/prolapse as well as pelvic pain. If you are planning a pregnancy/already pregnant and have a history of pelvic pain or pelvic floor concerns, it is important to see your physiotherapist before commencing physical activity. Here at Physiotec, your women’s health physiotherapist can assess your pelvic floor muscles to ensure you are using them correctly, assess and address other areas of concern such as low back pain or pelvic pain and advise you on the safest exercises during pregnancy as well as into the post-natal period. You might also like to join one of our Pilates classes to stay strong or build strength and control before, during or after your pregnancy.