ACOG Exercise Guidelines
Recommendations of Exercise in Pregnancy and Postpartum from ACOG
For women who do not have a high-risk pregnancy, the following recommendations apply:
- During pregnancy, women can continue to exercise and derive health benefits even from mild- to- moderate exercise routines. Regular exercise (at least three times per week) is preferable.
- Thirty minutes or more of moderate exercise a day on most, if not all, days of the week.
- Women should avoid exercising in a back-lying position after the first trimester. Prolonged periods of motionless standing should also be avoided.
- Women should be aware of the decreased oxygen available for aerobic exercise during pregnancy. Pregnant women should stop exercising when fatigued and not exercise to exhaustion.
- Changes in your body during pregnancy should be your guide to avoiding certain types of activities in which loss of balance is probable.
- Pregnancy requires an additional 300 calories per day. Therefore women who exercise during pregnancy should be particulary careful to ensure an adequate diet.
- Pregnant women who exercise should drink plenty of water, wear loose-fitting clothing, and make sure that the area is well-ventilated.
- Many of the changes of pregnancy persist several weeks postpartum. Therefore, pre- pregnancy exercise routines should be resumed gradually based on a woman's physical capability.
- Avoid activities that could cause abdominal trauma, such as soccer, ice hockey, basketball and kickboxing. Also avoid activities with a high risk of falling, such as horseback riding and downhill skiing.
- Avoid scuba diving and exercising at extreme altitudes.
Always check with your healthcare provider before starting any exercise program!
For more information:
ACOG Exercise Guidelines:
http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_515.asp
Post-Natal Guidelines - ACOG
http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp131.cfm
Exercising While Pregnant - ACOG
http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp119.cfm
