UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Exercise talking points for the pregnant patient

Category: Orthopedics

Keywords: Pregnancy, sports medicine (PubMed Search)

Posted: 4/28/2018 by Brian Corwell, MD (Updated: 12/26/2024)
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Exercise talking points for the pregnant patient

(from ACSM 2017 Consesnsus statement)

Exercise throughout pregnancy is generally safe but should be monitored

No evidence of higher rates of preterm or prolonged labor, or deliveries that require induction or episiotomy

No evidence of negative effect on APGAR scores

Other benefits:

Avoidance of excessive weight gain, improved balance, and decreased back pain

Improved well-being, energy levels, and sleep patterns

Improved labor symptoms and facilitation of post-partum recovery

Lower risk of C-section

Reduced risk of having a large for gestational age (LGA) or small for gestational age (SGA) infant

Risks include environmental exposure, dehydration, hypoxia, and uterine trauma:

High impact or high-strain physical activity during the fetal implantation phase may lead to slightly higher risk of miscarriage

Sports with high risk of trauma last in pregnancy could result in placental abruption

Scuba diving is contraindicated because the fetus is not protected from decompression problems

Limit use of sauna or hot tub to fewer than ten minutes or omit altogether

Female athlete issues for the Team Physician: A consensus statement- 2017 Update

American College of Sports Medicine, 2018