Effects of exercise during pregnancy.

Discovering the Benefits of Exercise During Pregnancy

At AMS Exercise Medical Center, we advocate for the health and wellness of our patients at all stages of life, and pregnancy is no exception. In this article, we will explore the impactful benefits that exercise can have on the pregnant woman, as long as it is a safe pregnancy and under proper medical supervision.

For a long time, there has been a perception that pregnancy is a time to relax and avoid physical activity. However, scientific evidence increasingly supports the idea that moderate exercise during pregnancy can offer a number of advantages for both the mother and the developing baby.

From improving cardiovascular health to facilitating labor and delivery to optimal fetal development, every aspect of pregnancy is positively influenced by proper physical activity. Join us as we explore the effects of exercise on the pregnant woman and how our team of AMS specialists can provide you with the support and guidance you need to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle during this beautiful stage of life.

As long as it is a safe pregnancy, and always with medical authorization, at AMS we recommend physical activity above all during pregnancy. In this blog post we tell you why:

• Sedentary pregnant women undergoing a moderate intensity exercise program during the second and third trimesters (140-150 bpm 25 min sessions, 3 times per week) benefit from the adaptations caused by regular training, decreasing their submaximal heart rate compared to their sedentary pregnant peers who do not exercise.
• In pregnant women there is a loss of ventilation efficiency during exercise. This increase in ventilation has been attributed to the direct effect of progesterone and increased sensitivity to Co2.
• Exercise increases the utilization of glucose by the muscles. It also reduces the need for insulin to get this glucose into the cell, as the muscle contractions themselves and catecholamines take on this function. Cortisol increases lipolysis and hepatic glycogenesis, and both effects are beneficial for the pregnant woman who exercises.
• Delivery will be easier for the physically fit woman, but other factors such as age, parity, fetal size, position, use of analgesia, etc. will also influence delivery. The physically fit pregnant woman who continues her exercise regimen during pregnancy achieves beneficial effects on multiple aspects of the birthing process without increasing risk to the fetus.
• Pregnant women who exercise gain less weight, without negative repercussions on the newborn.
• The intensity of back pain is lower in women who exercise in water. No associated urinary or vaginal infections.
• Increased placental volume occurs in pregnant women who continue to exercise.

Effects on the fetus

• Intense exercise at a frequency of 4-7 days a week in pregnant women aged 25-35 weeks may cause fetuses to have lower birth weights than those born to mothers who exercise moderately or to sedentary mothers who do not exercise (difference of 315g), mainly due to a lower fat mass in the offspring of athletic mothers. On the other hand, pregnant women who exercise only three times a week at moderate intensity have larger babies than sedentary mothers, perhaps due to a larger placental volume which improves blood flow and nutrition to the fetus.
• Superior psychomotor development has been observed, with better nervous maturation.
• Fetal heart rate increases 10-30 beats per minute in response to maternal exercise and independently of gestational age and exercise intensity. Some studies have described a decrease in fetal heart rate associated with maternal hypotension after exercise, possibly due to a decrease in peripheral venous resistance and compression of the pregnant uterus on the inferior vena cava, which would cause a decrease in uterine blood flow.
• It is preferable to avoid significant increases in the mother's core temperature associated with physical exercise.

At AMS we have a team of physiotherapists and physical trainers who can advise you during this beautiful stage.

AMS Recommendation

At AMS Exercise Medical Center, we understand the importance of taking care of your health and wellness during pregnancy. We have explored how exercise can be an invaluable tool for improving cardiovascular health, facilitating childbirth, promoting optimal fetal development and much more.

We are committed to providing you with the support and guidance you need to make the most of these benefits. That's why we have a team of highly trained pelvic floor specialists ready to help you maintain optimal health during pregnancy and beyond.

Whether you are looking to strengthen your pelvic floor, relieve discomfort during pregnancy or prepare for childbirth, our private pelvic floor services are designed to meet your individual needs. At AMS, we offer personalized, expert care that will allow you to fully enjoy this beautiful stage of life.

Don't wait any longer to invest in your health and wellness during pregnancy! Contact us today and find out how we can help you live your best pregnancy with AMS Exercise Medical Center. Your body, your baby and your future will thank you.

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