Although exercise during pregnancy has been shown to provide health benefits, but there are still many pregnant women are afraid to do so. They assume, exercise during pregnancy would pose a risk to harm the fetus.
"Although we've said this repeatedly over the last 10 years, pregnant women are still afraid to do so, for fear of hurting their child," said the researcher, Melissa J. Hague, MD, an assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita.
In research involving about 90 pregnant women, Hague revealed that many women who stop physical activity after pregnancy. Some of them claim to have never thought of doing exercises, even for a very safe activity such as walking.
"I was very surprised," said Hague who published his findings this week at the annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in San Diego.
In 2002, ACOG issued recommendations on exercise during pregnancy. According to them, pregnant women without complications during pregnancy can still be active with doctor's approval. Pregnant women also need to modify their practice as a medical indication.
Even so, women who had a habit of inactivity should consult with your doctor first before starting an exercise program. According to experts, the level of moderate exercise for 30 minutes or more, every day for a week is safe for pregnant women without complications. Activities that have a high risk for falls, contact sports, and diving is not recommended.
Details of the study
In his study, Hague and colleagues conducted telephone interviews with 90 women. The participants were known to have a gestational age of 16 to 30 weeks. Before pregnancy, nearly half of women admitted accustomed to exercise moderately at least 90 minutes every week.
Once pregnant, less than 27 percent of those who still do physical activity. "They say that they fear will hurt the baby," said Hague.
Hague in his analysis found that about 62 percent of those who exercise during pregnancy is thought that the sport is more than 30 minutes is safe. Only 18 percent of those who do not think so.
Hague also found no difference in attitude or views on any relevant ethnic influences exercise during pregnancy. Nearly 89 percent of white women said the exercise is brisk walking exercise is safe during pregnancy, and 90 percent said that swimming is safe. Meanwhile, only 60 percent of other ethnic groups who think that exercise is brisk walking is safe, and only 67 percent who think swimming is safe for pregnant women.
According to the Hague, the myth is derived in the family may trigger fears of women to exercise while pregnant. "If the mother told them, 'You'll hurt the baby,' they will not do," he said.
Certain women are more likely to exercise during pregnancy, including those who believe that they can manage it despite a busy schedule. Those who work outside the home are more likely to perform Fisk activity during pregnancy.
Hague says, women should focus on the benefits of exercise during pregnancy. "We know that exercise has significant benefits for women, including reducing the risk of depression and the risk of excess weight gain," he said.
"Minimizing the excess weight gain may reduce the risk of Caesarean," he concluded.
Raul Artal, MD, chairman and professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and women's health at St. Louis University School of Medicine, and experts say exercise during pregnancy, "is a good time to engage in healthy lifestyle including exercise, with the exception of certain sports such as scuba diving (diving), which may put the fetus at risk for decompression sickness. "
"For pregnant women who have never done physical activity, leisurely walking is a good way to start," says Artal, of course after getting approval from your doctor.
