Pregnancy often comes with a paradox: you’re told to slow down, be careful, rest, yet your body feels like it needs movement more than ever. Between lower back tension, breath changes, pelvic pressure, and emotional overload, staying completely inactive rarely feels right. The real question isn’t “Should I move?”, it’s “How can I move safely, intelligently, and with respect for what my body is going through?” At Bonjour Osteopathy in downtown Vancouver, this question comes up weekly. And the answer is rarely black or white.
Why Staying Active Matters More Than You Think
Movement as a Physiological Necessity, Not a Fitness Goal
There’s a persistent belief that pregnancy equals fragility. That if you move too much, something will “go wrong.” But physiologically speaking, the pregnant body is designed for adaptation, not immobility. Gentle, well-chosen movement supports: Circulation (which directly impacts swelling and fatigue) Respiratory mechanics (often restricted as the rib cage adapts) Pelvic and spinal adaptability Nervous system regulation (stress, sleep, emotional resilience) Canadian data suggests that nearly 65% of pregnant individuals report lower back or pelvic discomfort by the third trimester, often exacerbated by prolonged sitting and inactivity (Statistics Canada, maternal health surveys).
Are you an hyperactive woman?
For women who were very active before pregnancy, there’s no need to stop exercising altogether. It’s important, however, to adjust the intensity and type of activity to suit the stage of pregnancy, focusing on safe and moderate exercises. Staying active in a way that works for your body helps maintain muscle tone, supports overall well-being, and can make postpartum recovery easier.
Here’s something many people don’t realize...
inactivity can increase discomfort just as much as overexertion. The issue isn’t movement, it’s inappropriate movement. And yes, Vancouver folks often think that if they’re not “doing yoga” or “training properly,” it’s better to do nothing at all. That mindset causes more stiffness than safety.
“I Was Told to Stop Everything”, A Real Vancouver Story
Listening to Medical Advice Without Losing Trust in Your Body
A patient once shared this with Lucile Delorme during a rainy November appointment downtown. She was four months pregnant, active before pregnancy, hiking regularly near Cypress and Grouse Mountain. After experiencing early contractions, she was told to stop sports entirely.
I was scared. Guilty. Angry at my body. For weeks, I barely moved. My back stiffened. Sleep worsened. Anxiety crept in. Then something shifted. With medical clearance, I didn’t “return to sport.” I returned to water. Swimming twice a week. Slow, quiet laps. No performance. Just buoyancy, breath, rhythm. I continued until three days before giving birth!!
I didn’t feel strong. I felt supported.
This is the nuance that often gets lost online. Medical caution doesn’t always mean immobility. It means adapting the environment so the body can keep moving safely.
What Science Actually Says About Prenatal Activity
Evidence Over Opinions
Major health organizations, including Canadian and international obstetric associations, agree on one point: movement during pregnancy is beneficial when appropriately adapted. Research published by the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada indicates that moderate physical activity during pregnancy is associated with reduced rates of gestational pain and improved mental health outcomes (JOGC, 2019). Another widely cited statistic: over 50% of pregnant individuals experience activity-related discomfort not because they move too much, but because they move without support or awareness. This is where a hands-on osteopathic approach becomes valuable, not to “fix” pregnancy, but to help the body adapt to it. And no, this isn’t about pushing through pain. It’s about understanding how the pain appears, to understand the process and how movement can be reintroduced intelligently.
How Osteopathic Support Changes the Way You Move
Not Exercise Advice, Body Awareness
At Bonjour Osteopathy, Lucile Delorme doesn’t give workout plans. She observes how your body adapts: How the rib cage responds to breath How the pelvis manages load How the nervous system reacts to effort This matters, especially in a city where many people spend long hours at a desk, then try to “compensate” with bursts of activity. Check out our blog to find the best osteopath in downtown
Discomfort worsens after sitting all day, even if you didn’t “do anything”?
That’s not inactivity being neutral, that’s inactivity being stressful. Lucile Delorme often sees secondary issues appear during pregnancy: lower back compression hip tension knee pain in Vancouver patients who compensate for pelvic changes recurring knee pain in Vancouver linked to altered gait unexpected knee pain in Vancouver even in non-athletes These patterns aren’t random. They’re adaptive strategies the body uses when movement options feel limited. (You can learn more about Lucile Delorme’s approach on the About page or explore how sessions work via the F.A.Q page.)
Finding Your Own Way to Move
Safely Calm Doesn’t Mean Still
Not every pregnancy looks the same. Not everybody responds the same way. You can have sciatica, or not. But most bodies benefit from some form of motion.
Examples Lucile Delorme commonly recommends (with medical clearance):
Swimming or water walking Gentle walking, even short loops around the block between rain showers Breath-led mobility work Slow, mindful stretching
Here’s a lesser-known fact:
controlled movement can help regulate uterine tone by supporting nervous system balance. It’s not just mechanical, it’s neurological. And yes, knee pain in Vancouver shows up here too, often because footwear, wet sidewalks, and altered posture combine in sneaky ways. If you’re wondering whether something similar is happening to you, you’re not alone. Many patients only realize how disconnected they’ve become from their body once pregnancy amplifies everything. That’s often when they reach out, usually through the Contact page.
When to Seek Support (And Why Earlier Is Better)
Guidance Beats Guesswork
Pregnancy doesn’t require heroic endurance. It requires listening. And sometimes, listening is easier with help. Lucile Delorme’s role isn’t to override medical advice, it’s to help you understand how to live within it without fear or stagnation. Her experience with prenatal care in downtown Vancouver brings context that generic online advice can’t. If you’re navigating: persistent discomfort fear around movement uncertainty about what’s “safe” recurring knee pain in Vancouver that didn’t exist before pregnancy …it may be time to stop guessing.
One last thought:
the body you live in during pregnancy is still your body. Supporting it isn’t indulgent, it’s practical. If this resonates, booking an appointment at Bonjour Osteopathy may help you move forward, literally, with more trust, comfort, and clarity.
References
Physical Activity and Pregnancy Guidelines Vancouver Coastal Health, Prenatal Wellness & Movement Resources
Lucile Delorme
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