Exercise During Pregnancy Reduces The Risk Of Gestational Diabetes

The new study is published in BJOG, an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has indicated that women who exercise during their pregnancy are 30 percent less likely to develop complication of gestational diabetes. The study authors at Virgen de la Luz hospital, Spain carried out their analysis by conducting 13 trials with 2,873 pregnant participants. These women were then allotted an exercise regime irrespective of whether they had indulged in any prior physical activity.

The concluded through their research that those expectant mothers who exercised moderately reduced their risk of gestational diabetes by 30 percent as compared to those who didn’t. Also, the risk was found to be further reduced when these mothers continued with their exercise though out their term.

They also observed that the earlier the expectant mother begin their exercise the better are the prospects of improved health for their growing baby as well as reduction in the weight gain during pregnancy. While explaining the benefits of exercise, the study authors said that the combination of exercises for resistance, toning, strength and flexibility along with aerobics give better results.

Gestational diabetes can be defined as a condition where pregnant women who never had diabetes before showed elevated levels of blood sugar during their pregnancy. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a 2014 analysis has shown the prevalence of gestational diabetes to be as high as 9.2% more so in obese women. Gestational diabetes affects the mother in her late pregnancy, increasing her risk of getting serious disorders like pre-eclampsia, hypertension, and pre-term birth. Also children born to such mothers are at higher risk of becoming overweight or obese as well as developing diabetes type 2 in their adult life.

Apart from moderate exercise, eating the right type of food with adequate amount of fruits and vegetables along with dietary source of fiber helps in keeping gestational diabetes at bay. Obese or overweight women trying to conceive must lose some of their weight beforehand for a healthier pregnancy. In a concluding note, lead author Gema Sanabria-Martinez, of Virgen de la Luz Hospital in Cuenca says, "Exercise is not something to be feared during pregnancy - the moderate levels of exercise used in these studies had significantly positive effects on health and were found to be safe for both mother and baby."

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