Active Pregnancy Good for Baby, Mom

Ivanhoe Newswire
Monday, August 20, 2007; 12:00 AM

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Pregnancy is no time to stop exercising. Doctors say an active mom-to-be can experience several health benefits, including an easier labor and faster weight loss after delivering.

Physicians at Ohio State University Medical Center recommend women with uncomplicated pregnancies exercise for at least 30 minutes, five times a week. "More if someone is used to exercising more," obstetrician/gynecologist Melissa Goist, M.D., was quoted as saying. "It's different for every person based on overall health to begin with, but the benefits are greater than the risk for just about all patients."

Previous research by scientists at the University of Auckland in New Zealand suggested exercise during pregnancy could lead to fewer Caesarian births and leaner babies, which could lead to leaner children.

Ohio State physicians offer these guidelines to pregnant women who want to stay active:

 Stay comfortable while exercising
 Do not exceed a heart rate of 160 beats per minute for prolonged periods of time
 Avoid abdominal strengthening exercises after 20 weeks gestation
 Do not lie flat on back after 20 weeks gestation. This may put too much pressure on the vessel returning blood to the heart
 Avoid contact sports and other activities that could cause injury to the abdominal area. Horseback riding and SCUBA diving are too dangerous

For women who did not exercise much before getting pregnant, Dr. Goist recommends starting slowly. Also, moms-to-be should not do anything that causes discomfort.

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SOURCE: Ohio State University Medical Center, Aug. 13, 2007