Antenatal exercise: a personal perspective

Antenatal exercise sessions are offered to pregnant women in a variety of ways by different professional groups. These include midwives, physiotherapists, swimming teachers, trained and non-trained exercise instructors. Several questions have to be asked. Have these exercise sessions kept apace with the demands of fit healthy pregnant women who wish to carry on exercising throughout their pregnancy? Are there contraindications? Who should teach the women? Is the research information now available and incorporated into advantageous exercise sessions that help pregnant women cope with the massive physiological adaptation that occurs throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period? This paper presents an overview of what is currently available and attempts to establish a framework for standard setting and teacher training. This would ensure uniformity of knowledge, prevent conflicting advice and give opportunity for interprofessional liaison and development.