Exercise in Pregnancy by Nitai Gelber, MD, CCFP(SEM) and Lindsay Bradley, BHSc, MD, CCFP, Dip Sport Med

Being physically active throughout pregnancy is important for the health of both mom and baby! Pregnant women should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every week, ideally spread over a minimum of 3 days per week. To learn more, click the image below: You can also find out more by visiting the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology at: https://csepguidelines.ca/guidelines-for-pregnancy/  

Physician Information

The importance of exercise in pregnancy has never been clearer. It has been associated with decreased risk of gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, excessive weight gain, and depression. All women should aim for a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity split over a minimum of 3 days per week. Moderate-intensity activity has shown no negative consequences on maternal or fetal health. For additional information, please review our Exercise for Pregnant Patients handout below: Caring for pregnant women who engage in high-intensity physical activity can be more challenging. There is limited research to guide recommendations and many recommendations are based on expert consensus. Consulting with an experienced clinician in your area is highly recommended. To become more comfortable caring for pregnant women, consider reviewing the following resources: 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy 2016/2017 IOC Expert Group Meeting on Exercise and Pregnancy in Recreational and Elite Athletes A complete list of references reviewed in the creation of the above resources can be found here. Graphic Designer: Nils Gritters, BSc, MD candidate