AEROBIC EXERCISE
1. Maternal weight control some studies have shown women that exercise before and during pregnancy weigh less and gain less weight. As stated above weight gain during pregnancy is on average 10-15kg and this is normal. Weight loss is not advised during pregnancy nor is excessive weight gain. For clarification please consult your medical practitioner. 2. Improved mood can possibly (not proven) reduce the incidence of post natal depression. 3. 4. Maintenance of fitness levels Prevent Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
The American Diabetes Association endorses exercise as a helpful adjunctive therapy for gestational diabetes mellitus when not controlled by diet alone.
Exercise in Pregnancy
Exercise during pregnancy can be a very beneficial experience if you are conscious of the precautions to take and knowledgeable about the effects that exercise can have on you and your baby. Pregnancy is a natural condition rather than an illness requiring confinement and is being recognised as a unique time for women to make positive decisions regarding their health and lifestyle habits which could improve their health for the rest of their life. In a normal healthy pregnancy there is no reason why a woman cannot participate in regular exercise. Advanced Physiotherapy strongly urges all women who are planning to continue or commence exercise or sport while pregnant to discuss the specifics with their medical practitioner as well as following these general guidelines.
RISKS TO MOTHER
Risks to the mother have been discussed in the physical adaption section.
PELVIC FLOOR
The pelvic floor is an important sling of muscles which support the abdominal contents and the foetus while pregnant. With this extra load the pelvic floor can weaken during pregnancy and can also be damaged during a normal vaginal delivery. Exercises to strengthen and improve pelvic floor control are essential for keeping you most importantly continent (i.e. no bladder/bowel leakage) but also fit and active as it is also part of your core muscles. These exercises are best prescribed by your physiotherapist and are essential both during pregnancy and as soon as is comfortable after the birth to prevent incontinence following pregnancy and also with aging.
RISK TO FOETUS
Some areas that have been raised as a potential concern when exercising to the foetus include: 1. Effects on birth weight current research has shown there to be no significant difference in birth weight when comparing an exercising vs non-exercising population. Some evidence has shown that women undertaking strenuous exercise in their third trimester had smaller babies, which were healthy at time of delivery but there are some concerns over the long term health of a low birth weight baby. A reduction in exercise intensity and frequency (three sessions or less) in the third trimester is recommended.