Different medical professionals can often give conflicting advise on what exercise is ok, and what is not ok, during pregnancy. This can get very confusing when you are trying to do the right thing for both you and your baby.
Let’s clear this up!
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists made major changes to their statement on safe exercises in pregnancy in 1994 when they abolished the need to keep your heart rate below 140bpm and recommended only exercising for less than 15 minutes at a time.
In 2002 (slightly closer to present day!) the guidelines where broadened further and now encourage even more exercise.
They now recommend:
– 30 mins or more of moderate intensity exercise on most days, if not all days, for all pregnant women in the absence of medical or obstetric conditions.
– Exercise even for women who were previously sedentary can be safe and beneficial whilst pregnant.
– Provided you have had a medical review, exercise may still be recommended in women in the presence of medical or obstetric complications.
– Exercise can play an important role in the prevention and management of gestational diabetes.
Of course with any medical or obstetric complications it is best to be supervised whilst exercising to determine if what you are feeling is ok or whether you need to stop.
Come to Sydney’s CBD and see the Physio team at Bend + Mend for a Pre-Natal Assessment if you are pregnant and not sure what you should be doing, or join our Pregnancy Pilates classes so one of our trained Physios can supervise your progress!
