the evidence supporting Aquanatal®

Exercise During Pregnancy - RANZCOG Information for consumers

https://ranzcog.edu.au/womens-health/patient-information-resources/exercise-during-pregnancy

Exercise During Pregnancy - RANZCOG Information for professionals

https://ranzcog.edu.au/RANZCOG_SITE/media/RANZCOG-MEDIA/Women%27s%20Health/Statement%20and%20guidelines/Clinical-Obstetrics/Exercise-during-pregnancy-(C-Obs-62).pdf?ext=.pdf

Department of Health - Pregnancy and physical activity guidelines for women

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-11/physical-activity-and-exercise-during-pregnancy-guidelines-brochure.pdf

Department of Health - Evidence based physical activity guidelines for pregnant women for professionals

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/05/evidence-based-physical-activity-guidelines-for-pregnant-women.pdf

Sydney Aquanatal®: Why do Aquanatal®? (2019)
https://www.aquanatal.com.au/blog/why-do-aquanatal

Sydney Aquanatal®: 15 tips for safe exercise during pregnancy (2019)
https://www.aquanatal.com.au/blog/tips-safe-exercise-pregnancy

Research supporting benefits of exercise in water during pregnancy and the postnatal period

The Great Birth Rebellion podcast - Exercise in pregnancy
https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2147921628

Regular exercise (commenced in early pregnancy) reduces the risk of hypertensive disorders (high blood pressure)

https://somanz.org/content/uploads/2024/01/SOMANZ_Hypertension_in_Pregnancy_Guideline_2023.pdf

Influence of prenatal aquatic activities on fetal outcomes and maternal physical and mental outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11515326/

Women who exercise in water during pregnancy can experience a shorter labour
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30775175/

The Pregnancy Centre - Pregnancy and exercise benefits of exercising in water in pregnancy
https://www.pelvicfloorfirst.org.au/data/files/Pregnancy_and_exercise.pdf

Regular water exercise in pregnancy prevents excessive maternal weight gain with no detrimental effects on baby’s birth weight
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28279085/#:~:text=Birth%20weight%20and%20other%20pregnancy,.gov%20identifier%3A%20NCT%2002602106.


Moderate intensity water exercise during pregnancy decreases postpartum anxiety and depressive symptoms and is safe for mothers and their newborns
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8198819/#:~:text=Conclusion%3A%20Moderate%2Dintensity%20aquatic%20exercise,for%20mothers%20and%20their%20newborns.


Water aerobics for pregnant women is safe and not associated with any change in maternal body composition, type of birth, pre-term birth rate, baby well-being or baby weight
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19126239/


Regular, moderate water aerobics is not detrimental to the health of a woman or baby and women are less likely to request analgesia during labour
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19025579/

Know your pelvic floor

Continence Health Australia - Pregnancy and childbirth

https://www.continence.org.au/incontinence/who-it-affects/women/pregnancy-and-childbirth

Continence Foundation of Australia - Pelvic floor health for expectant and new mums

https://continence.my.salesforce.com/sfc/p/#A0000000KUc9/a/5K0000003Iek/nEDoZ3oU8.RlEab2f0E7RQ_RYNAeSA1rtAjEgDcSf0g

For first time mums, pelvic floor exercises can shorten the first and second stage of labour and does not increase risks of episiotomy, instrumental birth or perineal tears
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25711728/