Week 3 - Exercise and Pregnancy

Question 1

What are some considerations for exercise during pregnancy?

Answer 1

• Weight gain
• Lordosis/back pain
• Balance problem (uncommon)
• Respiratory changes
• CV changes
• Thermoregulation
• Risk to foetus
• Urinary incontinence

Question 2

What are some CV changes during pregnancy?

Answer 2

• Increased blood volume (HR, SV, CO)
• Decreased MAP
• Supine/prolonged standing may decrease venous return

Question 3

What are recommendations for a pregnant women if she has had no regular exercise prior to pregnancy?

Answer 3

• Low-moderate intensity aerobic exercise
• 30 mins daily at 3-5METs
• Don’t try to obtain substantial fitness gains
• Use exercise to stabilise weight and maintain fitness

Question 4

What are some activities not recommended during pregnancy?

Answer 4

• Activities increased risk of trauma
• Activities with physiological risk factors
• Activities involving lying in supine positions after the first trimester
• Activities pregnant woman who are not already active should avoid

Question 5

What are the physical activity recommendations for pregnant women?

Answer 5

• Aim for at least 150 mins/week of moderate intensity
• Muscle strengthening 2x a week

Question 6

What are the aerobic exercise recommendations for pregnant women?

Answer 6

• Large muscle group activity
• 30 mins/day low-moderate intensity
• RPE of 11-13 (HR not reliable for monitoring)
• Program not progressive; maintain intensity

Question 7

What are some foetal benefits to maternal exercise?

Answer 7

• Decreased risk of excess birth weight and fat cell growth
• Increase tolerance of stress
• Increase neurological development

Question 8

What are some maternal benefits of exercise?

Answer 8

• Controls maternal weight
• Improve mental wellbeing and body image
• Reduced risk of gestational diabetes
• Reduced risk of pre-eclampsia
• Reduced risk of acute c-section
• Reduced risk of prolonged labour and instrumental delivery

Question 9

What are some special pregnancy populations (pregnancy related health conditions) that exercise may benefit?

Answer 9

• Diabetes (type 1 & 2)
• Obesity (BMI >33kg/m2)
• Chronic HTN
• Pre-eclampsia (little evidence)

Question 10

What are some consideration for lactation and exercise?

Answer 10

• Exercise does not compromise breast milk quality/quantity
• Exercise may slow bone less during lactation, resulting in higher bone mineral density levels 1 year postpartum
• Breast feeding recommended prior to exercise

Question 11

What are some benefits of post-pregnancy exercise?

Answer 11

• Maintain or regain fitness
• Maintain or lose body weight
• Decrease risk of postpartum depression
• Stress relief
• Slow bone loss during lactatino
• Improve insulin sensitivity in those with GDM and T2DM
• Social support