xercising During Pregnancy Reduces the Risk of High Birth Weight Newborns and of Caesarean Delivery, Study Suggests (weeks, months)

[nifear]

Taking moderate-intensity exercise three times a week during the second and third trimester of pregnancy halves the risk of having a high birth weight newborn (babies with macrosomia, that is, weighing over 4 kilos) and, therefore, the risk of needing a caesarean delivery.

Exercising during pregnancy reduces the risk of high birth weight newborns and of Caesarean delivery, study suggests

R. Barakat, M. Pelaez, C. Lopez, A. Lucia, J. R. Ruiz. Exercise during pregnancy and gestational diabetes-related adverse effects: a randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2013; 47 (10): 630 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2012-091788

[glass_of_merlot]

I try to walk 5-6 days a week for about 1-2.5 hours. Im hoping to not gain so much weight this time around and I also hope to get back to my starting weight once the baby is born. I have also read that exercising reducing the risk for those varicose veins that have a tendency to show up on pregnant women's legs during a pregnancy.

[easternerDC]

I think too many women shy away from exercise when pregnant. With my first, I rode my bike and hiked until about 8 months pregnant, and I just could not ride my bike any more.

With my twin pregnancy, doing anything other than walking was a challenge. My babies were born at 37 weeks in November and I was riding my bike til the end of July. With the twins though, even walking was hard at 36 weeks - it was just so hart to move.

All of my babies have been good birth weight, and are very healthy.