Pregnancy and Postpartum Physical Training - Defense Centers for Public Health

Various Service programs support women’s health needs during and post-pregnancy. A key example is the 2022 Army Directive 2022-06 for Parenthood, Pregnancy and Postpartum External Link . The policy provides additional flexibilities to allow Soldiers opportunities to maintain and advance their careers while also growing their families. For example – the 2022 Army policy now allows women 365 days to meet their height and weight standards and to pass the Army Combat Fitness Test after the birth of a child – doubling the prior time of 180 days. Read more in this May 2023 news article

The 2022 Army policy reflects current scientific organization recommendations – for example the position of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

NEW ACOG GUIDELINES, COMMITTEE OPINION 804, 2020 External Link (reaffirmed 2023)

Exercise is an essential element of a healthy lifestyle, and obstetric care providers should encourage their patients to continue or to commence exercise as an important component of optimal health.

Women who regularly engaged in vigorous-intensity aerobic activity or who were physically active before pregnancy can continue these activities during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Public Law 116-92 (NDAA 2020), Sec 572 External Link Deployment Deferment After Childbirth

This law standardizes new mother deployment deferral policy across the services for 12 months after childbirth.

The U.S. Army MEDCOM previously supported the mandatory Army P3T program at installations by providing an Army-wide P3T instructor course and developing educational materials for local use. Currently, the Army medical community is not designated to support the program, therefore local commanders are now responsible for execution according to the implementation standards set forth in policy. Some of the educational materials, referred to as the APHC TG 255 series, Pregnancy Postpartum Physical Training Manuals, are temporarily still being provided (see below).

Additional Information

Information on the Pregnancy Postpartum Physical Training Program (P3T)
Contact for any P3T-related questions: usarmy.jble.imt.mbx.P3T@army.mil
AR 40-502, Medical Readiness, and DA PAM 40-502, Medical Readiness Procedures (Jun 2019)

AR 350-1, Army Training and Leader Development Appendix F-5 e & f (Dec 2017)
2020 Department of Defense report on Military Women Health, prepared by the Defense Health Board
Returning to running postnatal - guidelines for medical, health and fitness professionals managing this population Donnelly, E. et al. (Mar 2019) Evidence-based approaches to training postpartum women.
Improving Maternal Health Outcomes with a Focus on Physical Activity The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is working across its agencies to decrease pregnancy complication risks and improve the health of women during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
FDA on Pregnancy Resources to help you make good choices about medicines, foods, and other products for you and your baby.
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Exercising During Pregnancy Frequently asked questions regarding exercise during pregnancy.

Related Programs and Contacts

Army Wellness Centers provide strategic direction to support a standardized worldwide wellness initiative that empowers sustainable behavior change through evidence based education and awareness using advanced technology.

The APHC ergonomics program provides installation-level ergonomics services, training and consultation for the US Army.

Health Education and Application Division develops evidence-based health education and promotion products and programs using advanced technologies for Soldiers, Family members, Retirees, Army civilians, military health care providers, and senior leaders.

Health Promotion Operations assures the Community Health Promotion Council enhances Health of the Force through a community-driven public health planning process for the benefit of Soldiers, Family Members, Retirees, and Civilians.

This page provides a description of the vision, organizational structure, and activities of the Injury Prevention Branch. Contact information is also provided.