Exercise in Pregnancy Seems Beneficial
Regular exercise during pregnancy can help women and their
newborns, but the particulars of this benefit depend on the intensity and
timing of the exercise
regimen.
Previous studies have shown that, in general, women who
exercise throughout their pregnancies have larger placentas than their more
sedentary peers but
that a more intense exercise regimen may result in babies
who weigh less at birth.
The volume of the placenta is a general marker of the
structure's ability to transport oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.
Researchers found that women who exercised at the same rate
throughout their pregnancy, or boosted the intensity of their exercise regimen
later in pregnancy,
gave birth to infants who were lighter and had less body fat
than women who slowed down in the final trimester.
However, none of the babies born to women who exercised
moderately or intensely through the ninth month were considered low birth
weight. Low birth weight
is associated with developmental problems in childhood and
may be linked to heart disease and other health problems later in life.
The findings indicate that regular weight-bearing exercise
is beneficial for both mother and baby and that the amount of benefit varies
with the timing
and amount of exercise. If the woman is healthy and the
pregnancy normal, regular exercise can do nothing but improve the situation.
Infants of women who exercised intensely in the middle or
late stages of pregnancy were significantly lighter and had less body fat than
infants born to
the moderate exercisers, although none of the infants were
small enough to be at risk for medical or developmental problems.
Women who exercised vigorously early on and then reduced the
intensity of their program as they approached their due dates weighed more and
had heavier
placentas than women in the other groups. While a heavier
placenta can be protective in some cases, the heavy exercisers did not have
dangerously light
placentas.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2002;
186:142-147
No reason to be surprised that exercise would also be
helpful in having healthy babies, as it is an essential element of a
comprehensive health program.
Omega-3 fats are the hidden key to having healthy babies.
Most women have major deficiencies in this fat.
Optimized levels of omega-3 fats will help optimize brain
growth, especially during the third trimester.