Over half (57%) of pregnant women and mothers with children under the age of one have felt excluded or unwelcome when trying to be active. The research was conducted by Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign as part of its new chapter to ensure no woman is left behind from the world of sport and physical activity. It found that alongside feelings of exclusion, pregnant women and new mums from lower income backgrounds face a number of barriers to movement.

As we step into 2026, we’re unveiling Our Big Push – a bold and forward-looking strategy that builds on the progress and partnerships we’ve achieved so far. This year marks an exciting new chapter for The APF, as we continue our mission to empower women to move with confidence, visibility, and support throughout every stage of pregnancy and motherhood.

A scoping review of 21 UK studies found that many women are still not receiving the guidance they need—and when advice is given, it can be inconsistent, unclear, or focused heavily on risks rather than the many benefits of staying active. This can leave women feeling unsure, anxious, or even believing that physical activity during pregnancy is unsafe.But there’s positive news. The review provides clear, evidence-based recommendations to improve how these conversations happen.

We're launching the UK's inaugural Active Pregnancy Foundation Awards, in association with Natal Active.

To put it bluntly preconception health is a key determinant of pregnancy success and next generation health: the long-term health of...