Active Living

 Pregnancy Postpartum Physical Training (P3T)

Last Updated: February 28, 2023
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​​The intent of Army Pregnancy Postpartum Physical Training (P3T) is to implement mandatory standardized Army-wide P3T.   P3T is aligned with exercise recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the 2018 revised Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.  Policies released in recent years strengthen the ability for P3T to meet approved Army standards.

P3T Program Overview Video on YouTube - SEARCH FOR

Get Back in Shape after Pregnancy Postpartum Army Public HealthExternal Link

 

MEDCOM, through the APHC, maintains the P3T educational materials and offers a P3T instructor course. Local commanders are responsible for execution according to the implementation standards set forth in Army policy and the APHC TG 255 series, Pregnancy Postpartum Physical Training Manuals.  Standardized execution progresses as leaders are educated, responsibilities established, and adequate personnel trained to fill the needs for local P3T.

POLICY

Visit the P3T MilSuite websiteExternal Link (CAC required)​ for all P3T policies and content.

Technical Guide 255X, P3T Exercise Chart (APHC)​

Technical Guide 255A, P3T Implementation Guide (APHC)

AR 40-502, Medical ReadinessExternal Link, and DA PAM 40-502, Medical Readiness Procedures  External Link(July 2019)

AR 350-1, Army Training and Leader DevelopmentExternal Link, Appendix F-5 e & f (Dec 2017)

FM 7-22, Holistic Health and FitnessExternal Link, Ch 12 (1 October 2020)

ATP 7-22.02, Holistic Health and Fitness Drills and ExercisesExternal Link, Chapter 12 (1 October 2020)

NEW ACOG GUIDELINES, COMMITTEE OPINION 804, APRIL 2020External Link
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 habitually engaged in vigorous-intensity aerobic activity or who were physically active before pregnancy can continue these activities during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

NDAA 2020, Public Law 116-92, Sec 572External Link DEPLOYMENT DEFERMENT AFTER CHILDBIRTH
The law standardizes new mother deployment deferral policy across the services for 12 months after childbirth. 

P3T Execution Resources 

For those implementing P3T, information and resources are on the P3T milSuite websiteExternal Link (CAC required).  Once you open the page, save it to your favorites or bookmark it inside of milSuite so it is easy to access again.  Items available to you on milSuite are:

- Guidance for Soldiers at remote, RC and ARNG locations
- Technical Guide 255 A-F series
- P3T participant orientation packet
- Education class core curriculum presentations
- Templates for P3T Policy Memorandum, SOP, and OPORD
- P3T Program Overview Brief, Video, Fact Sheet, Information Paper
- Sample exercise sessions
- Exercise Leader Training materials

FEMALE SOLDIER READINESS, PREGNANCY, and POSTPARTUM (FSRPP) EVALUATION                           

Army Public Health Center (APHC) is conducting an Army-wide evaluation of pregnant and postpartum Soldiers to identify and report on important factors that impact the health and readiness of female Soldiers. The confidential questionnaires measure levels of physical activity, supplement use, substance use, dietary habits, sleep patterns, injuries and other medical concerns among pregnant and postpartum Soldiers.
If you are a Soldier who is at least 35 weeks pregnantplease participate in this evaluation.  Participation in the FSRPP Evaluation is voluntary, but highly encouraged. The questionnaire takes about twenty minutes to complete. Mission success fully depends on the number of completed questionnaires. Every response counts. Follow-up questionnaires about your postpartum experiences will be sent to your military or preferred email at 6 months and 12 months postpartum.  Please submit answers to ALL the questions. The link below allows you to input responses from any computer with internet access and is optimized for data collection via mobile devices (e.g., smartphones, tablet computers).  Thank you in advance for completing the survey. 
LINK TO QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ALL PREGNANT SOLDIERS 35 WEEKS to DELIVERY  (APHC)        

P3T Program Leader Course for 2021

The P3T Program Leader Course requires completion of a distributed learning (DL) component and an instructor course.  This course provides guidance on establishing and operating local P3T consolidated programs.

P3T DL Course #081SDL18-APHC-P3T-0001 self-enrollment is through ATRRS at https://www.atrrs.army.mil/ External Link
The DL course modules are for any personnel interested in learning more about P3T background and execution.  Participants receive access to the P3T DL Course in Blackboard after enrollment in ATRRS is completed.  The P3T DL course is a set of self-paced on-line modules that includes didactic sessions, video lessons, and reading assignments. Upon DL Course completion, the enrollee will be eligible for the P3T instructor course.  The DL course completion certificate requires passing all module tests, final exams, and assignments with an 80%.   The P3T DL course instruction sheet is located at http://phc.amedd.army.mil/Pages/CourseDetails.aspx?CourseID=151 (APHC)

The P3T Onsite Instructor Course #26A-F61/300-F61 
The P3T Onsite course focuses on practical application of the P3T DL course content. The P3T Onsite course includes training on exercise performance, exercise session oversight, training exercise leaders, use of program implementation tools, and a practical exam.  Participation is physically active and consists of exercise skills training with practical application of the principles of pregnancy and postpartum physical training. 
      

P3T Instructor Course Prerequisites
Senior enlisted (E-6 and above) Soldiers or DoD civilian.  Designated to serve in a P3T leader position.  Medical or fitness training or experience, i.e., previous P3T exercise leader experience or having completed the MFT course, is optimal.  Not pregnant, no administrative action nor pending a board. Passed last APFT and body composition.  Target audience is unit NCOs and health care staff involved in P3T implementation. 

There are no fees for this course, however, APHC funds are NOT available for attendee TDY expenses.  It is the responsibility of the attendee installation/unit to provide funds for all TDY expenses. Transportation and lodging arrangements are the responsibility of the attendee. Lodging on post is recommended. No meals provided. Accessibility to a DFAC and local shuttle for transportation varies according to the course location.​ Uniform is OCPs on Monday, IPFU Tues- Fri.  Swimwear is recommended but not required.  Attendees will receive graduation in ATRRS, upon completion of both the P3T DL and Instructor courses. 

Current Literature and Resources

Returning to running postnatal - guidelines for medical, health and fitness professionals managing this population. External Link T. Goom, G. Donnelly, E. Brockwell (March 2019) Evidence-based approaches to training postpartum women.

Improving Maternal Health Outcomes with a Focus on Physical ActivityExternal LinkThe Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is working across its agencies to decrease pregnancy com​plication risks and improve the health of women during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

FDA on PregnancyExternal Link. Having a baby can be a joyous time. The FDA has lots of resources to help you make good choices about medicines, foods, and other products for you and your baby.

Pregnancy A to ZExternal Link This Air Force Medicine web site provides information about what you can expect throughout your pregnancy and after the birth of your child. 3-D animations help you understand the changes going on inside your body, and how your baby is growing. There is a special section for new dads. Real parents offer advice and insight.

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Exercising During PregnancyExternal Link. Answers to frequently asked questions regarding exercise during pregnancy.