Pregnancy: exerciseQ."I'm 21 weeks pregnant and am continuing an exercise programme of moderate activity. I have cut out running and am concentrating on softer impact exercise using a stationary cycle and cross trainer. I limit each exercise to 15 minutes, but my heartbeat is regularly in excess of 140 beats and more likely to be in the region of 160 beats. Although this has always been my heart rate during exercise, and my antenatal checks and scans have all been fine, I wonder if I should reduce my exercise level even further to just include swimming and walking. I would prefer to maintain my current level of exercise as my pregnancy seems to be going well, but of course I do not want to risk any harm to my baby."A.It sounds like you know exactly what you are doing! You are clearly a fit woman, used to exercise - yet you realise that you cannot exercise in pregnancy exactly as you did before. You have taken the precaution of changing your activities to reduce the risk of soft-tissue injury, and are sensibly limiting your exercise sessions to 15 minutes. You are having regular antenatal checkups, and are prepared to change your plans if there is a real reason to do so. Although your pulse is racing during exercise, you know that this is within the limits of your own body. You are not (I assume!) attempting to beat records or achieve personal bests, settling instead for maintaining fitness and enjoying exercise. I assume, too, that you are not exercising to the point of exhaustion and are taking steps to make sure that you are not becoming hot and dehydrated. All that is good. There is as yet relatively little conclusive research into the effects of moderate exercise during pregnancy. Midwives and doctors can only therefore counsel caution and moderation. A lot will depend on how you feel. You know your body best. You, more than anybody else, want the best for your baby. I think that you will know instinctively when/if you need to further moderate your exercise routine. I suggest that if you need further advice, you contact a professional sports coach. Enjoy your pregnancy!Hannah Hulme Hunter, babyworld midwife Question answered 16 April 2002 |
