1994 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Recommendation for Exercise in Pregnancy & Postpartum

For women who do not have a high-risk pregnancy, the following recommendations apply:

1.  During pregnancy, you 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.

2.  Women should avoid exercising in a back-lying position after the first trimester.  Prolonged periods of

     motionless standing should also be avoided. 

3.  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.

4.  Changes in your body during pregnancy should be your guide to avoiding certain types of activities in which

     loss of balance is probable.

5.  Pregnancy requires an additional 300 calories per day.  Therefore, women who exercise during pregnancy

     should be particularly careful to ensure an adequate diet. 

6.  Pregnant women who exercise in the first trimester should drink plenty of water, wear loose-fitting clothing, and

     make sure that the area is well-ventilated. 

7.  Many of the changes of pregnancy persist 4-6 weeks postpartum.  Therefore, pre-pregnancy exercise routines

     should be resumed gradually based on a woman's physical capability. 

Contraindications to Exercise:

• Pregnancy-induced hypertension

• Preterm labor during the prior or current pregnancy or both

• Persistent second- or third-trimester bleeding

• Intrauterine growth retardation

Reference

ACOG. (1994).  Exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period.  Int J of Gynaecol and Obstet, 45(1),

     65-70.