Regular Prenatal Exercise May Avoid Having Bigger Babies

Posted on May 24, 2010
Filed Under Exercise, Health, Women Health | Leave a Comment

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Women who are gaining too much weight during pregnancy can cause problems for the baby. Technically, an overweight baby is one who weighs more than 4000 gram (8.8 lbs). Large babies make vaginal deliveries difficult, increasing the risk for cesarean section. Overweight babies may have an increased risk for health problems later in life (e.g., obesity, adult rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes).

But regular exercise during pregnancy can reduce the risk of obesity later in infants. The average birth weight of infants of mothers who simply do exercise is smaller but very healthy.

Regular exercise during pregnancy can also help the body maintain healthy blood pressure and sugar levels, which have a tendency to increase during pregnancy. Regular exercise during pregnancy can also increase circulation to the limbs, reduce stress levels and increase overall energy levels

According to the research team from New Zealand and the United States, infants born weighing 8.8 pounds (3.96 kilograms) or more was defined as a high birth weight.

On a two weeks examination, the babies of mothers who exercise to reach an average weight of 3.68 kg, while infants with mothers who did not exercise was 3.91 kg.

The studies have already been published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, the study 84 pregnant women with first pregnancy and grouping them in the exercise group and control group.

Women in the exercise group rode a bicycle at home with moderate intensity for 40 minutes, a maximum of 5 times a week, beginning at week 20 of pregnancy and continues until about 36 weeks.

The result, babies born to mothers who exercise have lower body weight and body mass index or BMI is also lower. There was no difference in the length of babies, among women who do not exercise and do the exercises.

In general, exercise during pregnancy offers many physical and emotional benefits, but but there are certain activities that should at least be undertaken with caution, if not avoided altogether.

So, before starting any exercise routine you should always talk with your doctor to ensure the exercise are done correctly.

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