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ACOG Guidelines

ACOG Guidelines for Exercise During Pregnancy

Pregnant women who exercise in the first trimester should augment heat dissipation by ensuring adequate hydration, appropriate clothing and optimal environmental surroundings during exercise.

Many of the physiologic and morphologic changes of pregnancy persist 4-6 weeks postpartum. Thus pre-pregnancy exercise routines should be resumed gradually based on a woman's physical capability.

The aforementioned recommendations are intended for women who do not have any additional risk factors for adverse maternal or perinatal outcome. A number of medical and obstetric conditions may lead the obstetrician to recommend modifications of these principles. The following conditions should be considered contraindications to exercise during pregnancy:

• Pregnancy induced hypertension


• Pre-term rupture of membranes, Pre-term labor during the prior or current

pregnancy or both
• Incompetent cervix/cerclage


• Persistent second or third trimester bleeding


• Intrauterine growth retardation


• Multiple gestation

In addition women with certain other medical or obstetric conditions, including chronic hypertension or active thyroid, cardiac, vascular or pulmonary disease, should be evaluated carefully in order to determine whether an exercise program is appropriate.