As an Obstetric Gynaegologist and someone who has been powerlifting since my early 20s, I always knew I wanted to stay active through pregnancy. My background in both sport and obstetrics, plus a strong support network helped, but I was still sometimes blindsided. I had experienced three miscarriages before my twin pregnancy, in which sadly one twin passed away at nine weeks, but the other resulted in my daughter. Even knowing scientifically that exercise didn’t influence my miscarriages, I felt waves of emotion from relief and the mental health benefits exercise provided, to frustration when my body, even when no longer pregnant, needed time to recover and didn’t feel like mine.

 

I prioritised a balanced, high-protein diet to help manage first-trimester nausea, but I had to temporarily step back from the gym between weeks 6–8 due to extreme fatigue and sickness. From week 9, I started to feel better, but developed Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD), where your pelvis hurts during movement. Despite struggling to walk at times, I was able to continue weightlifting and powerlifting with modifications. In fact, remaining active helped manage my symptoms so I could continue my regular work and daily activities right up until the day before my waters broke.

 

Powerlifting was a huge part of my life and identity, so staying active was important for my physical and mental health, and for my babies’ well-being. As an obstetrician who encourages patients to exercise, I also wanted to be a living example wherever possible.

 

I had access to an amazing network: a fitness coach for pregnant athletes who monitored my training and symptoms, a pelvic health physiotherapist, and a supportive gym environment where no one batted an eye at a heavily pregnant woman in the weights room. I know not everyone has this level of support, but even small amounts of guidance or encouragement can make a huge difference.

 

Overall, my experience of staying active in pregnancy was positive. Despite my miscarriages, SPD, and the challenges of being a working obstetrician, keeping active allowed me to remain mobile and functional, and to continue working until delivery. I also felt it made my recovery from my emergency caesarean smoother and my return to exercise quicker.

 

My biggest take-home messages: pregnancy is hard, even when you think you know what to expect. “Active pregnancy” can look very different from what you imagined, it may mean full workouts, light movement, or just the small choices that keep you moving each day. Give yourself grace. If you can stay active, take every opportunity however small as it all adds up to a better pregnancy and postpartum experience. I actually found I gained strength! And that was definitely a positive going into postpartum.