Welcome to Pregnant & Strong - this podcast aims to help more people feel mentally and physically strong in pregnancy. From myth busting, to conversations with experts - all mums themselves, to practical tips and sharing of research - the aim of each episode is to leave you feeling motivated and most importantly, empowered to move more during your pregnancy.

This is the final episode and is a little different from the others. Here I answer audience (and friends and clients) questions about all things pregnancy & exercise. We touch on lots of topics. This episode has to come with a trigger warning as I discuss exercise after miscarriage and baby loss, so please do skip that part or this episode altogether if now is not the right time to listen for you. I am really excited about sharing this episode, as many of these questions were questions I get asked a lot when coaching, with clients, and women I work with - I have added specific studies I reference in the chat - but please do get in touch if you would like me to share any more evidence or studies that support anything discussed. I hope, as always, that this goes some way to increase your confidence in how important movement is in pregnancy and helps empower you to make informed choices that leave you feeling mentally and physically strong on your pregnancy journey.

Studies referenced or mentioned in this chat:

Mottola MF, Nagpal TS, Bgeginski R, et al. (2019), Is supine exercise associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes? A systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 53(2), 82–89.

Nina-Margrethe Theodorsen, Kari Bø, et al, (2024). Pregnant women may exercise both abdominal and pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy without increasing the diastasis recti abdominis: a randomised trial - randomised control trial, 100 women

Margie Dvenport, et al, (2023) Maternal and Fetal Cardiovascular Responses to Acute High-Intensity Interval and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training Exercise During Pregnancy: A Randomized Crossover Trial | Sports Medicine | Springer Nature Link

Guidelines on physical activity in pregnancy - https://csepguidelines.ca/guidelines/%20pregnancy/

Resources & Recommendations to take away this week

Women’s Health Physio (Iona’s recommendation - her own physio)

Aby Tobin - Women’s Health Physio from Episode 3

Hayley Fishwick - Nutritionist - fertility specialist

Postpartum After Baby Loss - support for women and families after baby loss

Margie Davenport - expert in pregnancy and postpartum exercise

Dr Christina Prevett - Post Doc Research Fellow, exercise & pregnancy/ pelvic floor

Don’t forget to drop your comments wherever you listen to your podcasts, share with others, and spread the word.

You can find me on Instagram @strongwithionamumby