I had a long-term client who got pregnant. We continued training. In her third trimester, she lost her balance doing a lunge and fell. Thankfully the baby was fine, but she broke her hip. Her husband (and his lawyer) argued I was negligent for having a pregnant woman perform balance-dependent movements. My standard insurance policy flagged the claim because I didn’t have a “Prenatal” certification or endorsement.
Key Takeaways
- Scope of Practice: Standard CPT certifications cover general populations. Prenatal training is considered a “Special Population.”
- The “Unqualified Activity” Exclusion: If you aren’t specifically certified in prenatal fitness, the insurer might argue you were acting outside your scope, which is a common exclusion.
- Fetal Injury: The mother signed a waiver, but the unborn child did not. In many states, the child can sue you for birth defects or injuries years later.
- Medical Clearance: Did you get a new doctor’s note for each trimester? If not, that’s negligence.
The “Why”: The High-Risk Classification
The Trap:
Insurers view prenatal training like they view CrossFit—higher risk.
Your General Liability policy covers the mom tripping.
Your Professional Liability covers the advice to do the lunge.
If your policy excludes “Specialized Training” not listed on your app, you are exposed.
The Investigation: I Quoted 3 Major Carriers
1. Markel
- My Analysis: They ask specifically: “Do you train special populations?” If you check “No” and then do it, coverage is jeopardized. If you check “Yes,” they want to see your Prenatal Cert.
2. Lockton Affinity
- My Analysis: They generally follow your certification. If you have a general CPT, they expect you to follow general guidelines. If you have a “Pre/Post Natal” cert, coverage extends automatically.
3. Alternative Balance
- My Analysis: Great for holistic/specialty trainers. They cover prenatal yoga and fitness explicitly, but they require the client to sign a specific “Pregnancy Waiver.”
[IMAGE: Graphic showing “Contraindicated Exercises” for 3rd Trimester]
Comparison Table: Prenatal Coverage
| Carrier | Requires Specific Cert? | Covers Fetal Injury? | Waiver Required? |
| Markel | Yes | Defense Only | Yes |
| Lockton | Yes (Implicit) | Standard | Yes |
| Alt. Balance | No (If competent) | Yes | Yes (Specific) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Get Certified: A weekend course isn’t enough. Get a recognized Pre/Post Natal cert.
- Doctor’s Note Mandatory: “Cleared for exercise” must be updated as the pregnancy progresses.
- Modify Programming: Remove high-risk balance moves. Document the modifications.
- Specific Waiver: The waiver must explicitly mention “risks to pregnancy and unborn child.”
FAQ
Can the baby sue me later?
Yes. “Tolling of the Statute of Limitations” means the clock starts when they turn 18.
What if she didn’t tell me she was pregnant?
Your PAR-Q should have caught it. If she lied, you are safe.
Is Post-Partum covered?
Yes, but watch out for Diastasis Recti issues. Aggravating it can be a claim.