EXERCISES IN PREGNANCY: AMERICAN GUIDELINES
Exercise in pregnancy is important for well being of the mother and fetus. Much confusion exists on the type of exercise that can be done, the amount of exercise, and the benefits. Also fear exists what if something goes wrong. Much research has gone into all these aspects.
It would be advisable for readers to read the following scientific content for understanding. It incorporates the latest American and WHO guidelines for exercise in Pregnancy.
Since it is a scientific article, most readers may have difficulty understanding some aspects of the text. They can contact Dr. Neha Gupta for this. Dr. Neha Gupta is a top Gynecologist in Noida at Fortis Hospital. She also runs her Obstetric Clinic at The Gyne Clinic, Ganga Shopping Complex, Sector 29 Noida. She can be contacted at thegyneclinic.com or texted at 0091-9650138550.
This article tells us about the types of exercises that can be done in pregnancy and the benefits that we gain from these exercises.
Examples of Exercises That Have Been Extensively Studied in Pregnancy and Found to Be Safe and Beneficial
- Walking
- Stationary cycling
- Aerobic exercises
- Dancing
- Resistance exercises (eg, using weights, elastic bands)
- Stretching exercises
- Hydrotherapy, water aerobics
(Modified from Berghella V, Saccone G. Exercise in pregnancy! Am J Obstet Gynecol 2017;216:335–7).
Benefits of Exercise in Pregnancy
Higher incidence of:
- Vaginal delivery
Lower incidence of:
- Excessive gestational weight gain
- Gestational diabetes mellitus
- Gestational hypertensive disorders*
- Preterm birth
- Cesarean birth
- Lower birth weight
*Defined as gestational hypertension or preeclampsia
(Modified from Berghella V, Saccone G. Exercise in pregnancy! Am J Obstet Gynecol 2017;216:335–7).
It talks about how to measure exertion during exercise in pregnancy. And how much exercise is safe for pregnancy.
Using the “talk test” is another way to measure exertion: as long as a woman can carry on a conversation while exercising, she likely is not overexerting herself.
Women should be advised to remain well hydrated, avoid long periods of lying flat on their backs, and stop exercising if they have any of the warning signs listed in
Various warning signs or red flags that need to be kept in mind are also detailed.
Warning Signs to Discontinue Exercise While Pregnant
- Vaginal bleeding
- Abdominal pain
- Regular painful contractions
- Amniotic fluid leakage
- Dyspnea before exertion
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Chest pain
- Muscle weakness affecting balance
- Calf pain or swelling
