Being physically active is safe and beneficial for pregnant and postpartum women, and those living well with a chronic condition.
On June 27th 2025, the HSE and Department Of Health launched specific guidance for pregnant and postpartum women or those living with a chronic condition, following an update to the National Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Ireland – ‘Every Move Counts’.
New recommendations for each group include:
Pregnant & Postpartum Women
Pregnant Women:
- Undertake regular physical activity throughout their pregnancy.
- Should aim to undertake at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity distributed throughout the week.
- Should incorporate a variety of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities throughout the week.
- Should incorporate pelvic floor muscle exercises daily.
Postpartum Women:
- Can gradually resume physical activity after childbirth to return to levels similar to those recommended for the general population of at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week.
- Should include muscle-strengthening exercises that focus on the major muscle groups throughout the week.
- Should begin pelvic floor muscle exercises in the early postpartum period.
People living with a chronic condition
- Should aim to undertake between 2 hours and 30 minutes and 5 hours of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity per week; or between 1 hour and 15 minutes and 2 hours and 30 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity per week; or a combination of both.
- Should undertake muscle strengthening activities at moderate or greater intensity that involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days per week.
- Should undertake multicomponent balance and strength activities on 3 or more days of the week to enhance functional capacity and prevent falls.
