Participation in Athletics during Pregnancy Policy
Pregnancy does not immediately disqualify a student-athlete from participation in exercise or
sports. Generally, a healthy individual can participate during the first trimester. No studentathlete will be removed from a team because of pregnancy.
A student-athlete that thinks she might be pregnant should seek a medical exam immediately.
The Lebanon Valley College Shroyer Health Center can provide testing for pregnancy or the
student athlete can be referred to an off campus facility for testing, education, and counseling
for pregnancy. A student-athlete who is pregnant needs to notify a member of the Sports
Medicine Staff once the diagnosis has been made. Confidentiality will be protected by the
campus medical providers.
Safeguards will be put in place using the attending physician’s recommendations. These may
limit the intensity or type of activities engaged in. The Sports Medicine Staff will need two
documents in order for a pregnant student-athlete to continue athletic participation;
1. A Physician’s release to play a specific sport and the date at which participation will end.
2. A signed statement of informed consent by the student-athlete, acknowledging the risks to
that student-athlete and to the fetus.
The NCAA rules permit a one-year extension of the five-year period of eligibility for a female
student-athlete for reasons of pregnancy.
Exercise In Pregnancy
Assessing the risk of intense, strenuous physical activity in pregnancy is difficult.
Possible Benefits
There is some evidence that women who exercise during pregnancy have improved
cardiovascular function, limited weight gain and fat retention, improved attitude and mental
state, easier and less complicated labor, and enhanced postpartum recovery.
The fetus may benefit from exercise during pregnancy in several ways, including an increased
tolerance for the physiologic stresses of late pregnancy, labor and delivery.
There is no evidence that increased activity increases the risk of spontaneous abortion in
complicated pregnancies
Possible Risks
There are theoretical risks to the fetus associated with increased core body temperatures that
may occur with exercise, especially in the heat.
Deciding To Participate or Not
The safety of participation in individual sports by a pregnant woman should be dictated by the
movements and physical demands required to compete in that sport and the previous activity
level of the individual. The American College of Sports Medicine discourages heavy weight
lifting or similar activities that require straining or valsalva.
Exercise in the supine position after the first trimester may cause venous obstruction and
conditioning or training exercises in this position should be avoided.
Sports with increased incidences of bodily contact (basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer,
rugby) or falling are generally considered higher risk after the first trimester because of
abdominal trauma. The student-athlete’s ability to compete may also be compromised due to
changes in physiologic capacity and musculoskeletal issues unique to pregnancy. There is also
concern that during intense competition a pregnant athlete will be less likely to respond to
internal cues to moderate exercise and may feel pressure not to let down the team.
The American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology states that competitive athletes can remain
active during pregnancy but need to modify their activity as medically indicated and require
close supervision.
If a student-athlete chooses to compete while pregnant they should:
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Be made aware of the potential risks of their particular sport and exercise in general
while pregnant.
Be encouraged to discontinue exercise when feeling over-exerted or when any warning
signs are present. (see table below)
Follow the recommendations of their obstetrical provider in coordination with the team
physician.
Take care to remain well-hydrated and to avoid over-heating.
After deliver or pregnancy termination, medical clearance is recommended to ensure the
student-athlete’s safe return to athletics. The physiological changes of pregnancy persist four
to six weeks postpartum; however, there have been no known maternal complications from
resumption of training. Care should be taken to individualize return to practice and
competition.
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Warning Signs to Terminate Exercise While Pregnant
Vaginal Bleeding
Shortness of Breath Before Exercise
Dizziness
Headache
Chest Pain
Calf Pain or Swelling
Pre-term Labor
Decreased Fetal Movement
Amniotic Fluid Leakage
Muscle Weakness