Pre-Natal Exercise Safety

Exercise Safety Protocols During Pregnancy

There are numerous physical and mental benefits to performing regular resistance training during pregnancy, for both mother and baby. All of Charlotte’s pre-natal training sessions strictly follow the medical exercise safety guidelines set by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and UK Chief Medical Officers (CMO).

While exercise is safe and recommended for most pregnant women, those with specific pre-existing or developing medical conditions require medical clearance. Before beginning any 1:1 training, please review the clinical guidelines below. If you are unsure whether any of these apply to you, please consult your GP, midwife or obstetric consultant. Before you begin any pre-natal training sessions, Charlotte will ensure you have medical clearance from your doctor or midwife.

Absolute Contraindications

For women with one of the following conditions, exercise is NOT permissible under any circumstance due to risk to mother and/or baby:

• Hemodynamically significant heart disease

• Restrictive lung disease

• Incompetent cervix or cerclage

• Multiple gestation at risk for premature labor

• Persistent 2nd or 3rd trimester bleeding

• Placenta previa after 26 weeks gestation

• Premature labor during current pregnancy

• Ruptured membranes

• Preeclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension

• Severe anemia