Physical activity during pregnancy: Essential steps for maternal and fetal health

Over the last 50 years, our understanding of the impact of physical activity on maternal and fetal health has profoundly changed. Prior to the first guidelines put forth by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 1985, pregnant individuals were advised to rest and relax due to concerns about overexerting the ‘fragile’ female physique. But over the last half century, antenatal physical activity has emerged as a powerful preventative tool to reduce major pregnancy complications. Depression, pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes are reduced by 40–67% without increasing the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, preterm delivery or small for gestational age baby.1,2 Recent position statements and a review article published in the New England Journal of Medicine now advocate for moderate-intensity physical activity as a safe and accessible frontline treatment to prevent the development of preeclampsia. 3 This is a major shift in our view of physical activity as activity restriction was previously advised for those at high risk.