On today's episode, Grainne and Emma talk to leading expert and researcher Dr Margie Davenport about getting physically active and exercising during pregnancy. 

Advice and guidance have dramatically varied over the years around this topic. In the mid 1900s pregnancy was regarded as a state of confinement. It was believed that exercise should be discouraged for fear of harming mother or growing baby. 

Thankfully things have changed and now women are encouraged to be physically active and exercise because of all the wonderful benefits they bring both mum-to-be and baby. However, there still remains uncertainty in this area. In 2019 a team in Canada led by Dr. Margie Davenport wrote much-needed evidence-based guidance  - The Canadian guidelines for physical activity throughout pregnancy. This guidance details why and how women can remain or even start to get physically active during their pregnancy. 

In today's episode, Margie talks to Emma and Grainne about the guidelines, the benefits of physical activity and exercise, busts many of the myths around this topic  and discusses the need for further research so that women are better served during their pregnancies. 

If you are thinking about getting pregnant, pregnant or working with pregnant women this episode is for you.

You can find Margie on the following channels:

Instagram: @exerciseandpregnancy

Twitter@ @ExercisePreg

2019 Canadian guideline for physical activity throughout pregnancy https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/52/21/1339