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Exercise advice and guidance provided by Mark Hibbitts, founder of Newborn Fitness |
What are the Benefits of Exercise During Pregnancy?
Benefits to the pregnant woman
. Reduction in risk of developing gestational diabetes (especially in women with at BMI index greater than 33, ACOG 2002)
. Reduction in risk of developing pregnancy induced hypertension
. Fewer obstetric interventions (vacuum extraction, forceps)
. Reduction in the 'active stage' of labour
. No significant difference in the rate of cesarean section
. Increase in maternal well being
. Quicker return to pre-pregnancy weight
. Decreased incidence of loss of bladder control during pregnancy and postpartum
. Reduction in bone density loss during the lactation state
. Reduction in common pregnancy complaints (hemorrhoids, leg cramps back pain etc)
Benefits to the Infants
. Infants have less body fat at birth
. Infants are less cranky, have a reduction in the incidence of infant colic
. Greater neurodevelopmental scores in oral language and motor areas (test s at age 5)
. The benefits of lower body fat may extend into adulthood (reduction in ASHD, cholesterol)
What Guidelines Exist for Exercise During Pregnancy?
The following is a summary of revised ACOG Guidelines. The guidelines were last updated in 2002.
. In the absence of contraindications (below) pregnant women are encouraged to engage in 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise on most, if not all, days of the week. A woman should always check with her caregiver before beginning an exercise program.
. After the first trimester, pregnant women should avoid supine positions during exercise. Motionless standing should also be avoided.
. Participation in a wide variety of recreational activities is safe. However, any activity with a high risk for falling or abdominal trauma should be avoided. Examples are ice hockey, soccer, basketball and vigorous racquet sports.
. Scuba diving should only be performed under a physician's direction.
. Exertion at altitudes up to 6000 feet appears to be safe. Engaging in physical activities at higher altitudes carries a risk of hypoxemia.
Contraindications for Exercise in Pregnancy
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has stated that for most women, exercise during pregnancy is healthy. However, they do advise that each pregnancy be evaluated individually to determine the safety to mother and baby.
According to ACOG, there are cases in which it is not safe for the mother to participate in aerobic exercise. The mother is recommended not to exercise if she has:
Contraindications for Exercise in Pregnancy
. Haemodynamically significant heart disease
. Restrictive lung disease
. Incompetent cervix/cerclage
. Multiple gestation at risk for premature labour
. Persistent second or third trimester bleeding
. Placenta praevia after 26 weeks gestation
. Premature labour during the current pregnancy
. Ruptured membranes
. Pregnancy induced hypertension
ACOG also feels that in some instances, aerobic exercise may not be safe. Pregnancies should be reviewed carefully if the mother has:
Severe anemia
Unevaluated maternal cardiac arrhythmia
Chronic bronchitis
Poorly controlled type I diabetes
Extreme morbid obesity
Extreme underweight (body mass index < 12)
History of extremely sedentary lifestyle
Intrauterine growth restriction in current pregnancy
Poorly controlled hypertension/pre-eclampsia
Orthopaedic limitations
Poorly controlled seizure disorder
Poorly controlled thyroid disease
Heavy smoker
When to stop exercising?
Guidelines for stopping exercise (Summary of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) 2002). If you experience any of the following symptoms you should stop exercising and seek medical advice.
. Vaginal bleeding
. Dyspnea prior to exertion (Out of Breath, prior to exercise)
. Dizziness
. Headache
. Chest pain
. Muscle weakness
. Calf pain or swelling (DVT must be ruled out)
. Preterm labour
. Decreased fetal movement
. Amniotic fluid leakage
