Consensus Guidance Lays Out Recommendations for Postpartum Physical Activity

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on March 28, 2025.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, March 28, 2025 -- New mothers are encouraged to engage in two hours per week of exercise, according to a consensus guideline published online March 25 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Margie H. Davenport, Ph.D., from University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, and colleagues conducted a literature review to develop consensus guidance for physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep throughout the first year postpartum.

Based on seven systematic reviews, the panel recommended postpartum women and people accumulate at least 120 minutes/week of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA; e.g., brisk walking and muscular-strengthening exercises, including those targeting the lower back). After childbirth, initiating light-intensity physical activity is encouraged, as early mobilization has been associated with better health outcomes. Progression to MVPA recommendations should be individualized, gradual, and symptom-based, taking into account the time needed to heal from pregnancy and childbirth, physical and mental health, and readiness to engage in postpartum physical activity. Daily pelvic floor muscle training may reduce the risk for urinary incontinence. Once surgical incisions or perineal tears have sufficiently healed and vaginal bleeding does not increase with MVPA, returning to running and resistance training is generally safe. Consultation with health care providers is recommended for those with potential contraindications to postpartum physical activity (e.g., caesarean section with symptoms that worsen with MVPA).

"Adhering to these consensus recommendations for postpartum women and people is likely to result in large improvements in psychological well-being, as well as pelvic, musculoskeletal, and cardiometabolic health, and reduced fatigue, while not experiencing adverse events (moderate-certainty evidence)," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2025-03-29 06:00

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords