In today’s episode, I answer the question “Is working out while pregnant safe?” by unpacking the three most common myths active women hear about working out while pregnant, where those ideas came from, and what the research and current medical guidelines actually say.

Main topics covered:

• Myth 1: Don’t let your heart rate go above 150 bpm
• Myth 2: Exercise can cause miscarriage
• Myth 3: Don’t lift more than 20 pounds
• How I exercised during my pregnancy

This podcast is for general education only and is not medical advice. If you have specific concerns, speak with your OB provider. 

References

1. Physical activity and exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 804. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol 2020;135:e178–88.
2. Salvesen, K. Å., Hem, E., & Sundgot-Borgen, J. (2012). Fetal wellbeing may be compromised during strenuous exercise among pregnant elite athletes. British journal of sports medicine, 46(4), 279–283. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2010.080259
3. Wowdzia, J. B., Hazell, T. J., Berg, E. R. V., Labrecque, L., Brassard, P., & Davenport, M. H. (2023). Maternal and Fetal Cardiovascular Responses to Acute High-Intensity Interval and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training Exercise During Pregnancy: A Randomized Crossover Trial. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 53(9), 1819–1833. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01858-5
4. Barakat, R., Zhang, D., Silva-José, C., Sánchez-Polán, M., Franco, E., & Mottola, M. F. (2023). The Influence of Physical Activity during Pregnancy on Miscarriage-Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of clinical medicine, 12(16), 5393. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12165393
5. Meah, V. L., Davies, G. A., & Davenport, M. H. (2020). Why can't I exercise during pregnancy? Time to revisit medical 'absolute' and 'relative' contraindications: systematic review of evidence of harm and a call to action. British journal of sports medicine, 54(23), 1395–1404. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-102042
6. Prevett, C., Kimber, M. L., Forner, L., de Vivo, M., & Davenport, M. H. (2023). Impact of heavy resistance training on pregnancy and postpartum health outcomes. International urogynecology journal, 34(2), 405–411. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-022-05393-1

Continue the conversation:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.coach.kelseydpt
Monthly Newsletter: https://www.anteaterptp.com/newsletter
Episode topic requests: email [email protected]