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Sunday, April 12, 2009

The Safety of Exercise During Pregnancy

QUESTION: I am a bit of an exercise fanatic, but now the welcome news that I am pregnant is causing me to rethink my training program.
I would appreciate any information you may have concerning the safety of exercise during this period of my life.
I would hate to lose all of the progress I have made, but will doing nothing to hurt the baby.

ANSWER: This is a most common situation, and the question of exercise during pregnancy still remains one of controversy and discussion in the medical literature.
The basic concerns relate to the way your body is changing as you progress in your pregnancy, and whether the modifications that occur because of intensive training can affect these changes.
It seems as there is no absolutes; with many differing opinions, I can only point out some basic considerations.
You realize that as you as the baby grows bigger, your own balance and center of gravity will change, and throw your coordination off. Your body is even now preparing for the delivery, and changes in your hormones are loosening your ligaments and other tissue.
That may cause increased mobility in your joints that could lead to an exercise injury.
There is concern that the increased demand for oxygen for exercising muscles may diminish the available oxygen for the baby.
In an attempt to bring some order to the situation, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists developed guidelines which suggest that you only participate in exercise designed to keep your pulse rate under 140/min and that you limit your sessions to only 15 minutes.
Any complications in the pregnancy would require you to stop all extra exertion.
But when you reflect on the reasons, I am sure you won't mind.


The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.