Exercise and Pregnancy

By:

Nariman Ghaleb
Mohamed Moneer
Loay
Mahmoud Rabee
Supervised by:
Dr Mohamed El
Sharkawy

Overview
Benefits
Suggested Exercises
Myths Debunking
Contraindications
Postpartum

Benefits of exercise during

pregnancy
Enjoyment
More energy
Improved posture
Improved circulation
Weight control
Stress relief
Improved sleep
Stronger back muscles, which can help manage back pain
Preparation for the physical demands of labour
Faster recuperation after labour
Faster return to pre-pregnancy fitness and healthy weight

Preventing & Treating GDM

Exercise may be beneficial in the
primary prevention of GDM,
especially in morbidly obese women
(BMI > 33)
Resistance training may reduce need
for insulin therapy in overweight
women (BMI > 25)
ADA endorsed exercise as helpful
adjunctive therapy with GDM when
euglycemia is not achieved by diet

LABOR AFTER ENDURANCE

EXERCISE IN PREGNANCY

Incidence of PTL
Length of Gestation
Incidence of c-section
Incidence of operative vaginal
delivery
Duration of labor

Exercis
e
(n=87)
9%
277 d
6%
6%

Control
(n=44)

264
min

382
min

9%
282 d
30%
20%

Suggested exercise activities

during pregnancy
Walking
Swimming
Cycling outdoors or on a stationary

bicycle
Exercise in water (aquarobics)
Yoga, stretching and other floor
exercises
Dancing
Pilates
Pregnancy exercise classes.

Myth Vs Fact

Myth or Fact: Never get your heart rate over

.130 while exercising during pregnancy

Myth
There is no one "target" heart rate that's right
for every pregnant woman.
What most experts now rely on as a guide is
RPE, or rate of perceived exertion.

Myth or Fact: It's not safe to do abdominal

.work during pregnancy

Myth
Abdominals and pelvic
floor should be
strengthened throughout
pregnancy, and doing so
will help not only during
pregnancy, but also aid
inlabor and delivery
It will also help with
posture problems

Myth or Fact: If you were a runner before

pregnancy, you can continue to run during
.pregnancy

Fact
Both ACOG and the National
Academy of Sports
Medicine have said that if
you wererunningprior to
pregnancy, you can
continue during pregnancy,
as long as you feel OK

Myth or Fact: Pregnancy can make you more

prone to certain fitness injuries

Fact
During pregnancy, the
body produces a
hormone called
relaxin.It's designed
to help lubricate joints
so labor is easier.
When joints are too
lax, risk of injury
increases

Myth or Fact: Not every exercise is safe to do

during pregnancy
Fact
Exercises to avoid:
Contact sports or activities that carry a
risk of falling
Exercises involving balance e.g biking
or skiing
Competition sports
Exercises that involve lying on your
back the weight of the baby can slow
the return of blood to the heart.
Activities that involve jumping,
frequent changes of direction and
excessive stretching (E.g. gymnastics).

Myth or Fact: If I exercise too much

during pregnancy, I will pull nutrients
from the baby
Myth
Regular Exercise:
Augments pregnancy associated increases

in plasma volume
Increases placental volume
Increases cardiac output
What does this suggest?
Increased rate of placental blood flow at
rest
Increase in 24 h glucose & oxygen delivery

Myth or Fact: If I never exercised before

pregnancy, now is not the time to start
Myth
it can help combat thefatigueof pregnancy
and help you sleepbetter at night. But
better to start slow.

Myth or Fact: Any sign of trouble -- like

spotting or pain -- means I should stop
exercising and not do it any more during
Contractions
my pregnancy

Myth
Deep back or pubic pain
Warning signs when exercising
during pregnancy:

Headache
Dizziness or feeling

faint
Heart palpitations
Chest pain
Swelling of the face,
hands or feet
Calf pain or swelling
Vaginal bleeding

Cramping in the lower

abdomen
Walking difficulties
An unusual change in
fetal movements
Amniotic fluid leakage
Unusual shortness of
breath.

Absolute
Contraindications
Hemodynamically significant heart disease
Restrictive lung disease
Incompetent cervix/cerclage
Multiple gestation at risk for premature labor
Persistent second- or third-trimester bleeding
Placenta previa after 26 weeks
Premature labor during current pregnancy
Ruptured membranes
Preeclampsia/pregnancy induced

hypertension

Relative
Contraindications
History of extremely
Severe
anemia

Unevaluated maternal
cardiac arrhythmia
Chronic bronchitis
Poorly controlled type
1 diabetes
Extreme morbid
obesity
Extreme underweight
(BMI < 12)
Heavy smoker

sedentary lifestyle
IUGR in current
pregnancy
Poorly controlled
hypertension
Orthopedic limitations
Poorly controlled
seizure disorder
Poorly controlled
hyperthyroidism

Postpartum
Probably safe to resume training within 2

weeks of delivery in competitive

No proof of increased injury to pelvic
floor/abdominal muscles
Faster regain of abdominal muscles
Improved bladder control
Care with return to high impact
activities such as running
Decreased post partum depression
Increased weight loss

Postpartum
Overallbreastfeeding
no decrease in ability to

breastfeed when exercising

Strenuous training can decrease milk
production in breast feeding women
Feed prior to exercise
Decreased discomfort from engorged
Less chance of acidity in breast milk

Take Home Points

Healthy women should be encouraged to

exercise before, during, and after pregnancy

Knowledge of theoretical risks and known
benefits are key to advising women
Individualized exercise prescription promotes
a safe, healthy pregnancy
Potential benefits typically outweigh any risks
Avoid contraindicated exercises and
conditions

Heat, altitude, depth

Continue exercising postpartum

Thank you