As long as you are healthy and not experiencing complications, there are many health benefits associated with being physically active during pregnancy and the postpartum period. If you are active before becoming pregnant, it is recommended to continue being active; if you have been previously inactive, it is a great time to gradually start adding activity into your routine.
Before beginning a new physical activity, or if you have any questions or concerns, speak with your health care provider and/or physiotherapist.
Your physiotherapist can provide you with strategies related to maintaining safe physical activity throughout pregnancy, managing activity related hip/back pain during and after pregnancy, maintaining pelvic floor health, and more. Whether you are planning to get pregnant, are currently expecting, or have recently given birth, your physiotherapist can support you in reaching your physical activity and wellness goals. For more information, contact a rehabilitation therapist.
Northern Health resources
- Physical activity: Tips for postpartum moms (PDF) - Northern Health
- Post birth pelvic floor guide (PDF) - Northern Health
- Pregnancy and baby - Northern Health
Physical activity guidelines
- 2019 Canadian guidelines for physical activity throughout pregnancy - Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)
- 2020 Guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour - World Health Organization (WHO)
Resources
- Being active during pregnancy (PDF) - Exercise is Medicine (EIM) and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
- Exercise and pregnancy - BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre
- Mothers moving forward: A postpartum guide to being physically active (PDF) - Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC)
- Program for pregnancy and postpartum health (video) - Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health
- SmartMOM prenatal education program - SmartMOM perinatal education program
- SmartParent - Perinatal education program
- Taking care of yourself: Physical activity (PDF) - Baby’s Best Chance: Parents’ Handbook
Self-assessment tool
- Get active questionnaire for pregnancy (PDF) - Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)