It is proven that exercising during pregnancy brings several benefits for the mother and also for the baby. We know, for example, that staying active in this stage reduces the probability of disease and complications by up to 40%, helps to shorten the duration of labor, as well as help improve the neuromotor development of the baby.
A new study adds yet another benefit of exercise at this stage, as it was found that exercising more frequently during the first trimester of pregnancy would lower the risk of gestational diabetes.
The study
The study, published in the journal Diabetes Care , analyzed data collected for the ” Pregnancy Environment and Lifestyle Study ” (PETALS), a longitudinal study that included a physical activity questionnaire of 2,246 pregnant women. in United States. The women in the study were racially and ethnically diverse and from a wide range of pre-pregnancy weight classifications.
This observational research took information about the levels and duration of physical activity reported by the women participating in the study during the first trimester of their pregnancy.
When analyzing the results, it was found that exercising for at least 38 minutes per day reduced the risk of gestational diabetes in 2.1 cases per 100 women and the risk of abnormal blood sugar in 4.8 cases per 100 women.
It may seem like little, but according to researchers, six out of 10 women out of 100 have gestational diabetes, so reducing the number to just two with exercise is great news.
In summary, the risk of gestational diabetes was found to be reduced by exercising at moderate intensity for 38 minutes a day , a slightly higher amount than current recommendations, which suggest having at least 30 minutes of exercise five times a week .
As we know, gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that appears for the first time in pregnancy , in women who have never had this disease before. It is characterized by high blood sugar levels, and is estimated to affect approximately 5-10% of pregnant women.
It is important to detect it early to avoid the development of associated complications that affect both the baby (such as macrosomia, heart problems or hypoglycemia) and the mother (pre-eclampsia, premature birth or urinary infections).
Remember that before starting or continuing any type of physical activity during pregnancy, it is important to consult your doctor , who will tell us which exercises are the most appropriate and which ones to avoid.
Photo | iStock
Via | EurekAlert
In Babies and more | Exercising during pregnancy improves the quality of breast milk and increases its benefits, Exercising during pregnancy would reduce up to 40% the probability of suffering from diseases and complications
