Benefits of Being Active During Pregnancy

According to Mottola et al. 2019 being active during pregnancy is associated with (in the absence of contraindications*)

1.Fewer newborn complications (ie, large for gestational age)

2.Maternal health benefits, such as:

☆Decreased risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes,
☆ Decreased risk of caesarean section, instrumental delivery, urinary incontinence,
☆ Improved blood glucose,
☆ Decreased total gestational weight gain,
☆ Decreased risk of depression, severity of depressive symptoms and lumbopelvic pain.

Being active can include a mix of aerobic, strength & stretching exercises. For some, that might be a gym class or yoga class, for others it may be a walk or swim.

If you are new to activity, build it up slowly. Even starting with 5mins a day and build it up from there.