Advancing practice: a low-risk pregnancy group session antenatal fitness programme for the third trimester

Exercise in pregnancy is known to be advantageous (DHSC 2019, Cooper & Yang 2023, Côté et al 2024). A recent systematic review and meta-analysis consolidating existing evidence (Andargie et al 2025) highlighted that physical exercise is associated with an increased likelihood of normal vaginal birth, a reduced rate of caesarean birth and a shorter first stage of labour. These findings strengthen the significance of promoting pregnant women (without contraindications) to participate in appropriate physical exercise during pregnancy and further contributing to informing clinical practice. Yet most women reduce exercise because of safety concerns, which may stem from contradictory information found on social media or from medical or fitness professionals (Côté et al 2024). The purpose of this concluding third trimester article is to function as an ongoing initiative for relevant qualified professionals to successfully support pregnant women to implement exercise in pregnancy in specific group activities.