Being fit in pregnancy

Abstract

There is a substantial body of evidence to suggest that exercise during pregnancy is not only safe but beneficial, yet many women remain unsure about what exercise is appropriate or indeed whether it is safe to exercise at all, opting instead for inactivity. The purpose of this article is to explore the benefits of maintaining or improving fitness during pregnancy. It explores some of the more appropriate and accessible exercise options to help encourage women to achieve the recommended level of 30 minutes of physical activity a day (National Institute of Health and Care excellence (NICE) 2010). The article also recognises the need for accessible information regarding exercise and highlights some of the resources that pregnant women might find useful.