Exposing The Truth
The Women’s Health Education Network (WHEN) is pleased to present these guidelines, designed to support exercise professionals, educators, business leaders, and, most importantly, women themselves.
Unlike conventional guidance that often focuses solely on the baby’s safety, these recommendations place equal emphasis on the long-term health and well-being of the woman. They are not just about what women can do during pregnancy—they are about rethinking how we approach exercise with the woman at the centre.
This approach reflects our commitment to prioritising women’s health beyond the immediate needs of pregnancy, empowering them with knowledge that safeguards their futures and enables informed decision-making.
There are significant gaps in research on exercise in pregnancy, particularly when it comes to understanding how the physical changes during this time impact a woman’s long-term health. Much of the evidence available focuses on the safety of the foetus rather than the broader implications for the woman. Long-term studies into the effects of pregnancy on musculoskeletal and pelvic health are especially scarce, leaving women without the full picture of how certain activities may impact their bodies in the future.
The development of these guidelines was shaped by WHEN’s work on the Miscarriage Project, where the lack of research on the physical changes following miscarriage led us to examine pregnancy as a whole.
With no existing framework to guide us, we relied on insights from a wide range of health professionals—including obstetricians, gynaecologists, exercise physiologists, physiotherapists, psychologists, continence nurses, cardiologists, podiatrists, and more—who contributed their expertise and research.
Their work provided a robust foundation for these recommendations, ensuring that they address not only the immediate needs of pregnancy but also the long-term health of women.
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