During a prenatal visit, the nurse is instructing a newly pregnant cli

During a prenatal visit, the nurse is instructing a newly pregnant client in regard to exercise. What advice is best for the nurse to give this client?

1. Pregnant clients can exercise if exercise was a part of their life prior to pregnancy.
2. Due to the stress of a growing fetus, exercise should be limited to no more than 10 minutes per day.
3. Healthy pregnant women should exercise at least 30 minutes on most if not all days.
4. The pregnant woman’s exercise should actually increase above normal recommended levels to prevent water weight gain.

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Pregnant clients should be encouraged to exercise, regardless if exercise was a part of life prior to being pregnant.
Rationale 2: Exercise should be done 30 minutes on most days.
Rationale 3: The current recommendation of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is for healthy pregnant women to get as much exercise as the general population (30 minutes on most if not all days). This is a change from the previous recommendation that pregnant women can exercise.
Rationale 4: There is no indication that the pregnant woman needs more exercise than the general population.