Exercise and pregnancy.A new report by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is a professional association of medical doctors specializing in obstetrics and gynecology in the United States. It has a membership of over 49,000[1] and represents 90 percent of U.S. eliminates many of the restrictions on exercise that doctors used to give pregnant women. The report notes that "there are no data in humans to indicate that pregnant women should limit exercise intensity and lower target (heart) rates because of potential adverse effects." The new guidelines note that women "should stop exercising when fatigued and not exercise to exhaustion." Among those who should be excluded from exercise, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the report, are women with pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, as well as those with pre-term rupture of the membranes or pre-term labor during this pregnancy or a previous pregnancy. Other reasons to avoid physical activity include persistent bleeding in the second or third trimester Noun 1. third trimester - time period extending from the 28th week of gestation until delivery trimester - a period of three months; especially one of the three three-month periods into which human pregnancy is divided , evidence of intrauterine growth retardation Intrauterine Growth Retardation Definition Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) occurs when the unborn baby is at or below the 10th weight percentile for his or her age (in weeks). of the fetus and indications of a weakened cervix cervix /cer·vix/ (ser´viks) pl. cer´vices [L.] 1. neck. 2. the front portion of the neck. 3. cervix uteri. . For those who do exercise, however, recommendations in the report include: * Avoid any exercise performed lying on the back, especially during the first trimester Noun 1. first trimester - time period extending from the first day of the last menstrual period through 12 weeks of gestation trimester - a period of three months; especially one of the three three-month periods into which human pregnancy is divided . Lying in the supine position causes the heart to pump less blood in most pregnant women, which could, in turn. lead to reduced blood flow to the fetus and cause damage. Also to be avoided: prolonged periods of standing still. * Be prepared for body changes with pregnancy that may throw balance off, especially during the last months of pregnancy. "Any type of exercise involving the potential for even mild abdominal trauma should be avoided," the report notes. * Pregnant women need to consume 300 more calories a day. "Women who exercise during pregnancy should be particularly careful to ensure an adequate diet," the report says. * Drink plenty of water while exercising and stop before getting overheated o·ver·heat v. o·ver·heat·ed, o·ver·heat·ing, o·ver·heats v.tr. 1. To heat too much. 2. To cause to become excited, agitated, or overstimulated. v.intr. . Sedentary women can safely start exercising during pregnancy but should not embark on a rigorous regimen. Both walking and swimming are safe activities for most pregnant women. An added benefit of prenatal exercise is an easier postpartum recovery. Women who exercise regularly during pregnancy return more quickly to their prepregnancy level of strength and flexibility. |
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