Understanding the Pregnancy Period: Is Exercise Beneficial?

1. Presentation Title Ante Post Natal Presentation title (Date)

2. Course Details • 2 day course • Attendance between 09.00-17.00 • Optional tutorials between17.00-17.30 • Theory & Practical sessions • Training kit needed

3. Certification • Lifetime Industry award • Assessment – Theory Paper and case study • CPD credits for attendance 20cpd • Recognised by the Exercise register

4. Pre-requisites • Advanced Fitness instructor REPs level 3 • Containing knowledge of programming

5. Assessment • Theory assessment: • Theory paper • multiple choice & true/false responses • 60 mins • 70% pass mark • Internally assessed • Case study • 30 mins

6. Presentation Title Understanding the pregnancy period Is Exercise beneficial? Presentation title (Date)

7. Lesson objectives • Identify common myths surrounding the do’s and don’ts in pregnancy • Identify the potential benefits and risks (to the mother and baby) associated with exercise during the ante natal period • Explain the different stages and symptoms of pregnancy period

8. Activity 1 • In pairs consider: • Do’s and Don’ts during pregnancy • Any myths you have heard of • Note down a minimum of 6 • 5 minutes to complete

9. Common Myths • Do not exercise within first 12 weeks • Do not exercise on back • Exercise for no longer than 15 minutes • Running is contraindicated • Exercise causes low birth weight babies • Do not do strength training • Eat all you want during pregnancy • Vigorous exercise causes miscarriage • Maintain training heart rate under 140 bpm • No abdominal work should be done throughout pregnancy

10. Activity 2 • What are the benefits of exercising during pregnancy? • Think about the mother and baby

11. Benefits of Exercise • Helps to promote healthy lifestyle habits • Alleviates many symptoms of pregnancy • Increases self-esteem & feelings of well-being • Increases endurance levels for labour • May decrease the time spent in active phase of labour • May involve less obstetric interventions

12. Benefits of Exercise cont... • Can help reduce stress and pain in labour • Improved recovery from labour • Can prevent stress incontinence • Quicker return to pre-pregnancy weight, strength & flexibility level • Increased confidence for labour • Curbs excessive weight gain

13. Concerns with Exercise • Is there a higher risk of a miscarriage? • Blood flow and oxygen delivery to the baby reduced • High impact activities wrap the umbilical cord around the baby? • Waters will break with too much exercise? • Strong abdominal and pelvic floor muscles will extend labour or require forceps? • Returning to exercise too early will damage abdominalwall or internal organs?

14. Activity 3 • Barriers to ante natal exercise • Discuss the barriers to exercising during pregnancy with the group and your tutor • List ways to overcome these barriers • 10 mins

15. Barriers to ante natal exercise • Lack of knowledge (medical and gym) • Fear • Time available • Pregnancy symptoms • Physical barriers • Medical advice

16. Don’t ask, don’t tell

17. The 3 Trimesters 1st Trimester (roughly 0-3 months) 1-12 weeks 2nd Trimester (roughly 3-6 months) 13-25 weeks 3rd Trimester (roughly 6-9 months) 26-42 weeks

18. First Trimester • Increased fatigue • Breast changes • Sickness • Urination • Headaches • Constipation • Bloating • Cramps

19. Wonders of Early Pregnancy

20. Second Trimester • Forgetfulness • Wind • Heartburn • Lower abdominal/groin pain • Nasal congestion • Nosebleeds and bleeding gums • Skin changes

21. Third Trimester • Accidents and falls • Braxton Hicks contractions • Carpel tunnel syndrome • Fatigue • Piles • Insomnia

22. Summary • There are many do’s and don’ts during pregnancy • Many of the original concerns are unnecessary due to the adaptations that take place • There are many benefits to exercising during pregnancy provided the programme is suitable, and frequently monitored • Pregnancy is split into 3 roughly equal trimesters.