A new guideline published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine emphasizes the importance of physical activity for new mothers during the first three months after childbirth. Experts recommend engaging in at least two hours of moderate to vigorous exercise weekly, such as brisk walking or muscle-strengthening exercises, when physically capable. This practice aims to enhance health and well-being while reducing risks associated with postpartum complications. The guideline also highlights daily pelvic floor muscle training to mitigate urinary incontinence and improve sleep quality. These recommendations stem from an extensive review of 574 studies, ensuring evidence-based guidance for all new mothers, irrespective of breastfeeding status, gender, cultural background, disability, or socio-economic factors.

In the weeks following childbirth, new mothers face heightened risks of depression, weight retention, sleep disorders, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, particularly if complications arose during pregnancy. Recognizing this, a panel of expert researchers and clinicians developed comprehensive guidance on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep throughout the first year post-birth. After consulting with new mothers, they identified 21 critical outcomes for analysis, including injury, reduced breast milk quality, mental health issues, urinary incontinence, fear of movement, fatigue, and infant growth concerns. Using the GRADE system, they evaluated the quality and certainty of evidence for each outcome.

Based on their findings, the panel strongly advises new mothers without conditions hindering physical activity to incorporate a mix of aerobic and resistance activities into their routines during the first 12 weeks postpartum. They suggest accumulating at least 120 minutes of exercise weekly, spread across four or more days. Mothers with underlying health issues should seek medical advice before resuming moderate physical activity. However, everyone who has recently given birth is encouraged to engage in light daily activities like gentle walking to avoid the adverse effects of inactivity.

Other significant recommendations include daily pelvic floor muscle training to reduce urinary incontinence risks and rehabilitate pelvic muscles. Developing a healthy sleep routine by avoiding screen time and maintaining a restful environment before bed is also emphasized. Following these guidelines, which originate from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, can lead to numerous health benefits, such as reduced depression, urinary incontinence, and low back pain, alongside improvements in weight, cholesterol levels, and fatigue. Importantly, adhering to these practices does not increase injury risks or negatively affect breastmilk quality or quantity.

While meeting these recommendations may be challenging for some, even minor steps towards achieving them can significantly promote physical and mental health. Future research should address existing gaps in literature, yet the evident clinical benefits underscore the necessity of integrating movement behavior consultations into postpartum clinical practice. Feedback suggests that adopting these guidelines is feasible, acceptable, equitable, and cost-effective, promising substantial healthcare savings while enhancing maternal well-being.