Updated Canadian guidelines for physical activity during pregnancy call for pregnant women without medical restrictions to get minutes of exercise per week. October 17, By Michael Brown. Women who exercise throughout pregnancy can cut the odds of developing a major complication by at least a quarter, according to new University of Alberta-led research.
In fact, women who exercise during pregnancy can expect a 25 per cent reduction in the odds of developing pregnancy-related illnesses, such as depression, and a 40 per cent reduction in the chance of developing major pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational high blood pressure or gestational diabetes. The overarching recommendation in the guidelines is that all women-with the exception of those who shouldn't exercise during pregnancy for medical reasons-should be physically active throughout their pregnancy.
Davenport said the threshold for physical activity was set at minutes of moderately intense exercise each week, spread over at least three days in a week, if not seven. Some of the activities sanctioned include walking, swimming and stationary cycling. Resistance training is also recommended. Besides reducing the odds of developing pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension or gestational diabetes-three complications that are extremely common during pregnancy-the study clearly showed that being active to the recommended level did not increase the risk of having a miscarriage, a preterm birth or a low-birth-weight baby.
Davenport noted the study wasn't able to identify an upper threshold where exercise might not be beneficial any longer. And when it comes to a minimum level of exercise, Davenport said any physical fitness is better than nothing.
Davenport's team found a U. She suggested that might be a result of a history of women being directed to rest and relax. She said there are medical reasons women should not be active during their pregnancy, including having a ruptured membrane, persistent vaginal bleeding, a growth-restricted pregnancy, premature labour, pre-eclampsia and uncontrolled thyroid disease. What the study didn't reveal is why exercise is so important in reducing pregnancy complications for both mother and child.
