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For pregnant women women who have no additional risk factors, the
ACOG makes the following recommendations:
- During pregnancy, women can continue to
exercise and derive health benefits even from mild to moderate
exercise routines. Regular exercise (at least three times per week)
is preferable to intermittent activity.
- Women should avoid exercise in the supine
position (lying on the back) after the first trimester. Prolonged
periods of motionless standing should also be avoided.
- Women should be aware of the decreased oxygen
available for aerobic exercise during pregnancy. They should be
encouraged to modify the intensity of their exercise according to
maternal symptoms. Pregnant women should stop exercising when
fatigued and not exercise to exhaustion.
- Under some circumstances pregnant women can
still perform weight-bearing exercises provided they exercise with
caution. Non-weight bearing exercises such as cycling or swimming
will minimize the risk of injury and facilitate the continuation of
exercise during pregnancy.
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