Because human studies on exercise during pregnancy are currently limited, exercise prescriptions should be conservative. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. A lack of exercise during pregnancy puts you at risk for complications, such as increased pulse rate and blood pressure, and puts you at an additional risk for developing gestational diabetes. Maintaining a regular exercise routine throughout your pregnancy can help you stay healthy and feel your best. Instead, women who were already active before pregnancy are advised to continue normal exercise routines until symptoms tell them to stop. While the guidelines provide direction for a minimum amount of exercise (i.e., 150 minutes per week of at least moderate activity), they do not address an upper limit for exercise during pregnancy. If you are healthy and your pregnancy is normal, it is safe to continue or start regular physical activity. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. [No authors listed] There are numerous benefits to pregnant women of remaining active during pregnancy. “There is no question that the benefits of exercising during pregnancy outweigh the risks.” “Exercise benefits pregnant women in many ways,” agrees Dr. Minkin. www.acog.org, published December 2015; Fit for pregnancy. Physical activity does not increase your risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, or early delivery.
“Exercise during pregnancy can help prepare you for labor and childbirth, and postpartum exercise can help you get back into shape,” says Dr. Sherry. The benefits, however, appear to outweigh the risks when they are minimized by prescribing appropriate exercises and using recommended precautions. Exercise can help control weight gain that in part leads to gestational diabetes. It improves circulation, which helps prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, leg cramps, and swelling of the ankles.It also prevents back pain by strengthening the muscles that support the back. The first trimester, or three months, of pregnancy, can present many risks to the developing fetus. Is it safe to exercise during pregnancy? Recommendations Regular physical activity in all phases of life, including pregnancy, promotes health benefits. Swimming, biking, and aerobic walking are not associated with reported problems. And getting exercise can help lower blood sugar if you do develop gestational diabetes, which can eliminate the need for insulin injections. SMA statement the benefits and risks of exercise during pregnancy. These all can affect not only your health, but also the health of your unborn child. Can ward off or help with gestational diabetes: Weight gain and inactivity during pregnancy set the stage for gestational diabetes for some mothers-to-be.