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This infographic is available to download, free of charge. It is also available in French and Spanish. Please no alterations to the infographic without written permission first. If you would like a printed copy mailed to you, please contact us at pregnant@ualberta.ca

We have created short videos about exercise, pregnancy and the work we do here at the Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health! Please visit our YouTube channel to watch.

Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health YouTube Channel.

Healthy pregnant women without exercise contraindications are encouraged to exercise while pregnant. Regular exercise while pregnant may help control gestational weight gain, improve wellbeing and mood, and may play a role in the prevention of pregnancy-related complications.

Margie Davenport was the Chair of the Guideline Consensus Panel which developed the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada/Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy. This new Guideline was developed on an extensive review of the literature culminating in the Guideline and 12 systematic reviews recently published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine .

SOGC/CSEP 2019 Guideline for phyiscal activity throughout pregnancy

Methodology for the SOGC/CSEP 2019 Guideline for phyiscal activity throughout pregnancy

Prior to starting an exercise program, all pregnant women are advised to talk with their health care provider. The PARmed-X for Pregnancy was developed as a screening tool for pregnant women who wish to exercise.

PARmed-X for Pregnancy (PDF)

Margie Davenport was part of an international panel who developed the "Being Active During Pregnancy" information sheet for Exercise is Medicine and the American College of Sports Medicine. This document is available here: Being Active During Pregnancy

Contraindications to Prenatal Exercise

Absolute Contraindications to Aerobic Exercise During Pregnancy

• Ruptured membranes
• Premature labour.
• Unexplained persistent vaginal bleeding.
• Placenta praevia after 28 weeks’ gestation.
• Preeclampsia.
• Incompetent cervix.
• Intrauterine growth restriction.
• High-order multiple pregnancy (eg, triplets)
• Uncontrolled type 1 diabetes.
• Uncontrolled hypertension.
• Uncontrolled thyroid disease.
• Other serious cardiovascular, respiratory or systemic disorder.

Relative Contraindications to Aerobic Exercise During Pregnancy

• Recurrent pregnancy loss.
• Gestational hypertension.
• A history of spontaneous preterm birth.
• Mild/moderate cardiovascular or respiratory disease.
• Symptomatic anaemia.
• Malnutrition.
• Eating disorder.
• Twin pregnancy after the 28th week.
• Other significant medical conditions.

Reasons to Stop Exercise and Consult Your Health Care Provider

• Persistent excessive shortness of breath that does not resolve on rest.
• Severe chest pain.
• Regular and painful uterine contractions.
• Vaginal bleeding.
• Persistent loss of fluid from the vagina indicating rupture of the membranes.
• Persistent dizziness or faintness that does not resolve on rest.

General Precautions for Prenatal Exercise

• Avoid physical activity in excessive heat, especially with high humidity.
• Avoid activities which involve physical contact or danger of falling.
• Avoid scuba diving.
• Lowlander women (ie, living below 2500 m) should avoid physical activity at high altitude (>2500 m). Those considering physical activity above those altitudes should seek supervision from an obstetric care provider with knowledge of the impact of high altitude on maternal and fetal outcomes.
• Those considering athletic competition or exercising significantly above the recommended guidelines should seek supervision from an obstetric care provider with knowledge of the impact of high-intensity physical activity on maternal and fetal outcomes.
• Maintain adequate nutrition and hydration—drink water before, during and after physical activity.