Before you begin
- MD Clearance
- While I am a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy, I am NOT your OBGYN or primary care physician. The information provided is not intended to be construed as medical advice, nor does it superseed your MD’s recommendations. Please consult your MD / OBGYN / midwife / pelvic floor PT before beginning any workout program.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Guidelines for exercising during pregnancy - taken directly from the ACOG’s Committee Opinion paper (italics are my own). Click here to view full text.
- Precautions - AKA - Make sure that you consult with your MD prior to any exercise program if you have any of these conditions
- Anemia
- Unevaluated maternal cardiac arrhythmia
- Chronic bronchitis
- Poorly controlled Type 1 diabetes
- Extreme morbid obesity
- Extreme underweight (BMI less than 12)
- History of extremely sedentary lifestyle
- Intrauterine growth restriction in current pregnancy
- Poorly controlled hypertension
- Orthopedic limitations
- Poorly controlled seizure disorder
- Poorly controlled hyperthyroidism
- Contraindications - AKA - DO NOT exercise unless explicitly given permission by your OBGYN
- Hemodynamically significant heart disease
- Restrictive lung disease
- Incompentent cervix or cerclage
- Multiple gestation at risk of premature labor
- Placenta previa after 26 weeks of gestation
- Premature labor during the current pregnancy
- Ruptured membranes
- Preeclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension
- Severe anemia
- Warning Signs to Discontinue Exercise - AKA - “Listen to your body by watching for these symptoms!”
- Vaginal bleeding
- Regular painful contractions
- Amniotic fluid leakage
- Dyspnea before exertion
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Chest pain
- Muscle weakness affecting balance
- Calf pain or swelling
