Weighing it Up: Pregnancy and Exercise.

July 29, 2010 - PRLog -- The report found that almost half of expectant mothers are overweight or obese, putting themselves at much higher risk of serious health conditions such as gestational diabetes, blood clots, miscarriages, birth complications and stillbirths, according to the latest statistics.

The guidelines were aimed at health professionals, in order to help them advise their pregnant patients about the risks of obesity during pregnancy and the importance of weight management before or after pregnancy.

The panel of experts states that a healthy diet and being physically active will benefit both the woman and her unborn child during pregnancy and will also help her to achieve a healthy weight after giving birth. The report affirms that moderate-intensity physical activity will not harm a pregnant mother or her unborn child, and that at least 30 minutes per day of moderate intensity activity is recommended.

Physiotherapist and Pregnancy Expert, Colleen Burns (who is mother to a 6 month old baby girl, Matilda) says: "The increasing prevalence of obesity amongst pregnant women is quite worrying, as it increases the risks of health complications for the mother and poses long-term health risks for the baby. Many health professionals are still hesitant to address this issue early on with pregnant women”

As an advocate of the benefits of prenatal exercise, Mrs Burns has recently launched a website PregFit.com.au. “I hope to spread the message that pregnant women can exercise safely. Medical providers need to dispel the myths and be more explicit in their recommendations”.

“From my experience, pregnant women are scared they will harm their unborn babies, they just need some sound advice from their health providers to have the confidence to stay active and healthy during this time.” Said Colleen.

However, there are some schools of thought that believe that medical statements such as that released by NICE may be putting unnecessary pressure on expecting mothers, potentially increasing the risks of body-image issues during pregnancy and possibly leading to increased risks of postnatal depression.

Dr Meredith Nash, Lecturer in Gender studies at he University of Melbourne has a PHD in gender studies, and has spent many years researching pregnant women’s body-image, celebrity pregnancy and motherhood.  

“Although it is generally accepted that the maintenance of a reasonable level of fitness is an important component of a healthy pregnancy, at the same time, the obsessive surveillance of pregnancy weight gain coupled with moral panics about maternal obesity can have the unwelcome effect of pushing pregnant women towards dieting, compulsive exercise and even pregnancy-related eating disorders or 'pregorexia'” Says Nash

Although debates will continue regarding the pressure on new mums to watch their waistlines, the recommendations released by NICE did stop short of advising obese women to try to lose weight during pregnancy, which it said could pose a risk to the unborn child. The panel said that the example set by celebrities who crash diet to lose all their “baby weight” almost immediately is “unhelpful” because it gives women unrealistic expectations that they can never live up to.

The panel said that women should not be pressured into losing weight before they feel ready and are coping with the demands of motherhood comfortably.

# # #

A new and exciting website promoting an active, fit and healthy pregnancy. Lots of great information about pregnancy and exercise. Australia's only place to shop for the highest quality, stylish Maternity-Specific Activewear.