Exercise in supine position during pregnancy

So you've been told not to lie on your back during pregnancy because that position can compress the inferior vena cava with the uterus.

This advice is well meaning because, yes, about 0.5% to 11.2% of pregnant women will experience what is known as supine hypertension syndrome, if she spends "long periods of time" on her back.

This means she may feel weak, dizzy, light-headed, nauseas have a drop in blood pressure or a spike in heart rate.

Long periods of time is unclearly defined and the current guidelines from Sports Medicine Australia are that after 28 weeks she should avoid being on her back during exercise.

However according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, as long as she feels okay while lying on her back and doesn't present with any of the above symptoms and she generally feels well with no light-headedness or nausea, she should be fine to lie on her back for short periods.

I'll pop the links to these guidelines in the comments.

As a Women's Fitness Coach who often trains pregnant women, I will regularly check in with my client, especially at the beginning of each session and I'll be constantky asking for feedback during her workouts. What worked last workout may not be appropriate for this workout.

I do tend to avoid supine positions for my clients after 24 weeks more for comfort and peace of mind for both her and myself.

The science and guidelines are always changing as new research is conducted but having been pregnant 3 times myself, and having worked with pregnant clients, I feel this is the best approach.

If you know someone who is pregnant or a coach that is training pregnant women and think they would find this article useful, please LIKE this post and SHARE with or TAG a friend in the comments.