ACOG Committee Opinion 804, exercise during pregnancy and postpartum

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee Opinion No. 804, “Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period”, published in Obstetrics & Gynecology 2020;135:e178–e188 (replacing Committee Opinion No. 650). It states that in the absence of obstetric or medical complications, physical activity in pregnancy is safe and beneficial, recommends roughly 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, and confirms that women who were habitually active or doing vigorous aerobic activity before pregnancy, including running, can continue. It lists absolute and relative contraindications and the warning signs that mean a woman should stop exercising and seek care. A new section addresses the pregnant athlete. A correction was later published (Obstet Gynecol 2021;138:683). Strong as a national professional guideline; many specific recommendations rest on limited or observational evidence and clinical consensus.