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 so excited to announce that Sport in Mind’s Mum and Baby Programme has officially been endorsed by The Active Pregnancy Foundation. This endorsement reflects Sport in Mind’s commitment to delivering safe, effective, and compassionate physical activity support for women during the perinatal period. Their Mum and Baby sessions offer welcoming, inclusive spaces where mothers can nurture their mental and physical wellbeing, regain confidence, and build meaningful connection

The Active Pregnancy Foundation (APF) and the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) have been working together for more than five years to deliver the This Mum Moves (TMM) educational programme. The Institute is the APF’s official training partner, supporting the development of place-based leaders – known as This Mum Moves Ambassadors – who promote physical activity within their local communities and settings. 

The Moving Mums Initiative was launched in 2024 to address maternal and infant health inequalities in Sheffield’s underserved communities.