Exercise cuts risk of gestational diabetes

RELUCTANT to exercise during pregnancy? We know it’s hard to be motivated, but a Spanish study has uncovered some worrying consequences if you’re not active during this time.

Why you need to exercise during pregnancy

RELUCTANT to exercise during pregnancy? We know it’s hard to be motivated, but a Spanish study has found that women who exercise during pregnancy are about a third less likely to develop gestational diabetes, and put on less weight.

Gestational diabetes is a common pregnancy complication, and is associated with an increased risk of serious disorders such as pre-eclampsia, hypertension, preterm birth, along with induced or caesarean births. It can also have long-term effects on the mother, including impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes.

The children of mothers with gestational diabetes are also more likely to become overweight or obese and have a higher risk of developing diabetes themselves.

The Spanish study looked at the results of enrolling healthy pregnant women who did little or no exercise into exercise programs. Analysis of 13 trials, involving more than 2800 women, found that exercise reduced the risk of gestational diabetes by more than 30 per cent, while for women who exercised throughout pregnancy this was even greater at 36 per cent.

This effect was strongest for women who combined toning, strength, flexibility and aerobic exercise.

Exercise was also helpful in reducing excessive weight gain, with those who exercised a kilogram lighter on average. This was the case even if the exercise program was started during the second trimester of pregnancy.

“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,” said lead author Gema Sanabria-Martinez, of Virgen de la Luz Hospital in Cuenca.