Pre-Screen for Physical Activity in Pregnancy: Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DURING PREGNANCY HAS MANY HEALTH BENEFITS AND IS GENERALLY SAFE FOR MOST INDIVIDUALS. BEING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE IS NOW SEEN AS A CRITICAL PART OF A HEALTHY PREGNANCY.

Pre-screening for physical activity in pregnancy using an evidence-informed screening tool is an important first step in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. Screening identifies those who may need more evaluation or to see their Obstetric Health Care Provider before they begin or continue to be physically active.

See the SOGC/CSEP 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity Throughout Pregnancy — An evidence-based guideline that outlines the right amount of physical activity women should get throughout pregnancy to promote maternal, fetal, and neonatal health.

The Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy released by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) is designed to identify the small number of individuals who should seek medical advice as a first step to becoming or continuing to be physically active during the months that they are pregnant, and to help the majority of healthy pregnant individuals overcome any concerns they might have with getting or staying active.

It is designed to be a self-administered pre-screening tool to empower individuals to be responsible for their own health and wellbeing during their pregnancy. The Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy and companion Health Care Provider Consultation Form for Prenatal Physical Activity helps health care providers have a meaningful conversation about the benefits of physical activity with their pregnant patients.

KEY PRINCIPLES OF THE GET ACTIVE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PREGNANCY:
  • Can help start a conversation with a qualified exercise professional or health care provider

  • Asks pregnant individuals a series of questions

  • Identifies who should get health care advice before physical activity

  • Helps alleviate concerns to continuing or becoming physically active

Using the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy

The Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy consists
of four questions to help individuals decide whether they should
consult a health care professional before becoming or continuing to be physically active during pregnancy. If an individual answers “YES” to
any question, they are guided to consult with their obstetric health
care provider before beginning or continuing to be physically active.
The Health Care Provider Consultation Form for Prenatal Physical Activity
form has been developed to assist individuals in their conversation
with their health care provider and the qualified exercise professional.

HOW THE GET ACTIVE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PREGNANCY COULD BE USED:
  • Recreation or fitness facilities may have their pregnant clients
    complete the questionnaire prior to joining an exercise class or
    program.
  • Obstetric healthcare professionals (i.e., physicians, midwives,
    physiotherapists, dieticians) may provide the questionnaire when
    encouraging their patients to start or continue to be physically active
    during pregnancy.
  • Pregnant Individuals who wish to continue or become active during
    pregnancy can complete the questionnaire on their own initiative.
  • Qualified Exercise Professionals (QEP) may use the questionnaire as one part of the pre-screening process with clients.
PRACTITIONERS USING THE GET ACTIVE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PREGNANCY

The Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy was developed in partnership with the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, The College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Canadian Physiotherapy Association Women’s Health Division.

Endorsements for the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy

 

The following organizations have formally endorsed the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy and the Health Care Provider Consultation Form for Prenatal Physical Activity.

RESOURCES

CSEP has developed a number of resources to help you understand and use the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy.

Download the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy
Download the Health Care Provider Consultation Form for Prenatal Physical Activity

Use this document if you answered YES to any questions on the front page of the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy and have not already consulted with your obstetric health care provider about becoming or continuing to be physically active.

Webinar Title Page Guide to Using Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy