Evidence-Based Exercise in Pregnancy and Postpartum | Dr Margie Davenport

2026-06-15

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In this episode, exercise physiologist Dr Margie Davenport walks me through what the evidence actually shows about exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Margie chaired the 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy, the 2025 Canadian postpartum guideline, and the upcoming International Olympic Committee consensus statement on athletes through pregnancy and postpartum. We cover where the 140 bpm rule came from, the scale of the benefits at the population level, what direct fetal monitoring during HIIT and heavy...

We cover where the 140 bpm rule came from, the scale of the benefits at the population level, what direct fetal monitoring during HIIT and heavy lifting really shows, the new postpartum data, and why so many of the historical prohibitions do not survive contact with the data.

What we cover:

Where the 1985 "stay below 140 bpm" rule came from, and why it has long outlived its evidence
Around 40 percent fewer cases of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, and around 67 percent fewer cases of depression during pregnancy
HIIT, heavy resistance training, and what fetal monitoring shows
The 51 percent reduction in complications among women who kept lifting heavy
Postpartum: the six-week myth, breastfeeding and injury risk, and a 45 percent reduction in postpartum depression
The short list of actual "don'ts": scuba diving, and a few situational cautions
The paradigm shift from prohibition to shared decision-making

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To connect with Dr Margie Davenport, visit exerciseandpregnancy.ca, follow her on Instagram at @DrMargieDavenport, or find her on LinkedIn and YouTube.

Intro (00:00)
Why Pregnancy Exercise Advice Feels So Confusing (01:15)
The Most Damaging Myth About Exercise In Pregnancy (03:08)
How Exercise Cuts Pregnancy Complications By 40% (05:05)
Why Pregnant Women Were Excluded From Research (07:46)
Can You Do High Intensity Workouts While Pregnant (12:49)
How Exercise Lowers Preeclampsia And Diabetes Risk (16:43)
How Much Exercise Is Safe During Pregnancy (27:03)
Is Heavy Lifting Safe During Pregnancy (32:10)
What You Should Never Do While Pregnant (40:41)
Pelvic Floor Exercises Every Pregnant Woman Needs (47:41)
How To Know If You're Overexerting While Pregnant (56:12)
Does Exercise Affect Fertility And Conception (1:00:42)
Why The 140 BPM Myth Still Exists (1:04:52)
How Exercise Improves Postpartum Mental Health And Sleep (1:09:28)
The Truth About The 6 Week Postpartum Rule (1:11:32)
Does Breastfeeding Increase Your Risk Of Injury (1:17:13)
Why Pregnant Athletes Need Better Policy Support (1:19:56)
What Future Pregnancy Exercise Research Will Reveal (1:24:50)

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Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)