Guidelines for exercise during pregnancy

Abstract

Exercise during pregnancy is not new. Pregnant women routinely learn about excercises during the prenatal period. However, the focus of these exercises is to prepare the body for labor and delivery and do not emphasize overall fitness during pregnancy. As more women participate in exercise programs and recreational and competitive sports, they have questions about the advisability of continuing their activities during pregnancy. Since more women work during pregnancy, it is likely that the occupational health nurse will be faced with answering their questions. The guidelines in this paper are based on the most recent research findings about the effects of exercise during pregnancy on mother and fetus. They consolidate and expand recommendations currently available from various sources, and will assist occuptional health nurses in advising pregnant women about exercise activity that is appropriate and precautions that are necessary.