Pregnancy Only

• Maternal heart rate should not exceed 140 beats per minute.
• Strenuous activities should not exceed 15 minutes in duration.
• No exercise should be performed in the supine position after the 4^th month of gestation is completed.
• Exercises that employ the Valsalva’s maneuver should be avoided.
• Caloric intake should be adequate to meet not only the extra energy needs of pregnancy but also of the exercise performed.
• Maternal core temperature should not exceed 38 degrees C.

Pregnancy and Postpartum

• Regular exercise (at least 3 X per week) is preferable to intermittent activity.
• Competitive activities should be discouraged.
• Vigorous exercise should not be performed in hot, humid weather or during a febrile illness.
• Ballistic movements should be avoided.
• Exercise should be done on a wooden floor or a tightly carpeted surface to reduce shock and provide sure footing.
• Deep flexion or extension of joints should be avoided because of connective-tissue laxity.
• Activities that require jumping, jarring motions, or rapid changes in direction should be avoided.
• Vigorous exercise should be preceded by a five minute warm-up (slow walking, stationary cycling with low resistance).
• Vigorous exercise should be followed by a five minute cool-down that includes gentle stationary stretching.  Because connective-tissue laxity increases the risk of joint injury, stretches should not be taken to the point of maximum resistance.
• Heart rate should be measured at peak activity.