Women have been urged
to keep active during their pregnancy.
Jo Taylor, midwife for the baby charity Tommy's, stated that women who make
an effort to remain relatively fit during pregnancy will receive a number of
health benefits.
Those who exercise are more likely to help control weight gain during
pregnancy and will also reduce the stresses on the body during labour.
"Pregnant women, however, should avoid contact, high-impact sports -
walking and swimming are good exercises for pregnancy," she added.
Ms Taylor recommended that women who did not exercise prior to becoming
pregnant should begin their programme by participating in 15 minutes of
continuous physical activity on three separate occasions each week before they
can progress to daily exercise.
Her comments came after a study published in the Acta Obstetricia et
Gynecologica Scandinavia found that a mother's pre-pregnancy weight and weight
gained during the term have an impact on the birthweight of their children.
© Adfero Ltd
Private maternity news : 16 December 2011
