Guideline for exercise in pregnancy

ABSTRACT

Most pregnant women are interested in the health of themselves and their babies. Women in reproductive age may also be concerned with their body shape. Therefore, pregnancy is an ideal period during which to change exercise and lifestyle habits. Nowadays obesity is increasing in women. Obesity influences the health of pregnant women and their babies, and acts as a factor associated with pregnancy complications such as hypertension and diabetes in pregnancy. For such reasons, it has been recommended that women exercise properly and regularly during pregnancy. Because physical and anatomic changes occur during pregnancy, and increases in the weight of the uterus and body can have an impact on the spine and bones of pregnant women, injury is a concern. Therefore, impractical exercise without consideration of the pregnancy state may do more harm than good. Some exercises are contraindicated for pregnant women with complicating cardiac and pulmonary diseases. Therefore, pregnant women and their care providers should understand the risks and the benefits of exercise in pregnancy, and a guideline for proper exercise in pregnancy is presented here.