#77 - Exercise and pregnancy with Professor Margie Davenport
Dec 18, 2023
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Professor Margie Davenport, an expert on exercise and pregnancy, discusses the beneficial effects of exercise before and during pregnancy on both the mother and the fetus/offspring. Topics include exercise intensity during pregnancy, fetal heart rate during exercise, contraindications, effects on placenta blood flow and the fetus, reduced pre-eclampsia, exercise during pregnancy for elite athletes, and exercise timing and recommendations. The importance of research, debunking myths, and consulting healthcare providers is emphasized.
Exercise during pregnancy reduces the risk of developing gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and gestational hypertension.
Moderate-intensity exercise is safe and beneficial for pregnant women, debunking historical beliefs that overly intense exercise could harm the mother or the baby.
Maternal exercise is associated with beneficial outcomes for newborns, including increased brain activity and more efficient heart function.
Timing and adjusting exercise during pregnancy should take into account comfort, health, and any contraindications, and it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider while trusting one's instincts.
Deep dives
Exercise and Health in Pregnancy
Exercise during pregnancy has numerous benefits for both the mother and the baby. It reduces the risk of developing gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and gestational hypertension. It also decreases the odds of having a large baby and lowers the risk of postpartum depression. Even small amounts of exercise, like a nine-minute walk per day, can lead to a 25% reduction in the risk of preeclampsia. The benefits of exercise during pregnancy apply to both active individuals and those who were inactive before. Several large epidemiological studies have shown positive outcomes for both the mother and the baby in terms of overall health and development. It is recommended to continue exercising during pregnancy if it is comfortable and there are no contraindications.
Understanding Exercise and Pregnancy
Exercise during pregnancy was once a topic of concern and caution. However, research has shown that moderate-intensity exercise is safe and beneficial for pregnant women. Historical beliefs that overly intense exercise or certain activities could harm the mother or the baby are being debunked. Absolute contraindications, such as severe preeclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction, may require modifications or limitations in exercise. Relative contraindications necessitate a discussion with a healthcare provider to weigh the benefits and risks of exercise. However, for healthy pregnancies, maintaining or initiating moderate-intensity exercise is highly recommended for overall health and well-being.
Effects of Exercise on the Fetus
Exercise during pregnancy can have positive effects on the fetus. While long-term outcomes require further research, recent studies have shown associations between maternal exercise and beneficial outcomes for newborns, including increased brain activity and more efficient heart function. Animal studies have also indicated potential long-term advantages, such as decreased risk of diabetes and other health issues. However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and long-term effects of exercise on the offspring.
Timing and Adjusting Exercise During Pregnancy
Timing and adjusting exercise during pregnancy is a personal decision that should take into account comfort, health, and any contraindications. While exercise volume may decrease naturally as pregnancy progresses, there are no hard and fast rules. Listening to one's body is crucial, and modifications may be necessary for comfort and safety. The first trimester, which traditionally had more caution around exercise, has been found to be safe for exercise as long as there are no contraindications. It is recommended to consult a healthcare provider, but also to trust one's instincts and feelings about exercise during pregnancy.
Importance of Exercising during Pregnancy
Exercising during pregnancy is beneficial for both the mother and the fetus. Contrary to the belief that exercise poses risks, research indicates that engaging in physical activity before, during, and after pregnancy is associated with numerous health benefits. It is important to shift focus from potential harms of exercising within the current guidelines to the harms of not being active. While there is limited evidence on the effects of high-intensity exercise during pregnancy, athletes and individuals who wish to engage in intense workouts can consult with their healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
Understanding the Spectrum of Physical Activity
Physical activity encompasses a wide range of activities, including light, moderate, and vigorous intensities. Low-intensity activities like housework and walking fall under the category of physical activity, while moderate to vigorous exercises are considered a component of physical activity. Research supports the benefits of low-intensity, moderate-intensity, and some high-intensity exercise during pregnancy. However, regarding very high-intensity exercise, more studies are needed to provide concrete evidence and specific recommendations. Individuals engaging in intense workouts should consult with their healthcare provider for guidance.
Educating Healthcare Providers
It is crucial to educate healthcare providers about the benefits and safety of exercise during pregnancy. Many misconceptions and outdated guidelines still exist, leading to misinformation and discouragement for pregnant individuals who wish to remain physically active. To ensure accurate and up-to-date guidance, healthcare providers should stay informed about the latest research findings and recommendations regarding exercise during pregnancy. There is a need for better evidence, especially for extreme levels of activity, so that healthcare providers can provide individualized advice to pregnant individuals.
Dr Glenn McConell chats with Professor Margie Davenport from the University of Alberta, Canada. She is an expert on exercise and pregnancy. We discussed the effect of pregnancy on the health (including pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes) and exercise performance of the mother and on the health of the fetus during pregnancy and the offspring after pregnancy. It became very clear that there needs to be more focus on the beneficial effects of exercise before and during pregnancy on both the mother and the fetus/offspring. A very interesting chat. Twitter: @ExercisePreg 0:00. Introduction 2:09. How Margie went from top athlete to exercise researcher 6:15. History of thinking on exercise and pregnancy 8:49. What intensity of exercise should do during pregnancy? 12:28. Fetal heart rate during mothers exercise 14:10. HIIT exercise during pregnancy 15:55. Monitoring the baby during exercise research 19:50. Contraindications for exercise during pregnancy 20:38. Different types of exercise 21:49. Effect of the initial fitness of the mother 24:15. Heavy lifting during pregnancy 29:00. Effect of exercise on placenta blood flow 30:03. Animal studies: effect of exercise on the fetus 33:25. Health outcomes better when exercise during pregnancy 35:45. Reduced pre-eclampsia when exercise during pregnancy 44:25. Effect of exercise during pregnancy in elite athletes 45:40. Exercise during pregnancy and offspring health 49:07. Effect of pregnancy trimester/stage on exercise 52:40. Contraindications for exercise during pregnancy 55:05. Speaking with health care provider 57:13. Miscarriage levels during the first trimester and exercise 1:01:26. Individualized approach to exercise during pregnancy 1:03:15. Relaxin and pregnancy 1:04:20. Exercise during pregnancy and birth weight 1:06:15. Gestational diabetes and exercise 1:10:05. Exercise reduces gestational diabetes 1:11:55. Exercise before pregnancy vs during vs both 1:15:10. Exercise during pregnancy and mental health 1:19:05. Athletes and returning to sport after pregnancy 1:25:35. “Pregnancy advantage” from childbirth? 1:29:05. Diet during pregnancy and sport 1:32:09. Effect of the age of the mother 1:34:30. Research controversies in the field 1:36:50. Insufficient research in women/pregnancy 1:38:39. Misinformation in the area on social media etc 1:41:50. Takeaway messages etc 1:45:48. Outro Inside Exercise brings to you the who's who of research in exercise metabolism, exercise physiology and exercise’s effects on health. With scientific rigor, these researchers discuss popular exercise topics while providing practical strategies for all. The interviewer, Emeritus Professor Glenn McConell, has an international research profile following 30 years of Exercise Metabolism research experience while at The University of Melbourne, Ball State University, Monash University, the University of Copenhagen and Victoria University. He has published over 120 peer reviewed journal articles and recently edited an Exercise Metabolism eBook written by world experts on 17 different topics (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-94305-9). Connect with Inside Exercise and Glenn McConell at: Twitter: @Inside_exercise and @GlennMcConell1 Instagram: insideexercise Facebook: Glenn McConell LinkedIn: Glenn McConell https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-mcconell-83475460 ResearchGate: Glenn McConell Email: glenn.mcconell@gmail.com Subscribe to Inside exercise: Spotify: shorturl.at/tyGHL Apple Podcasts: shorturl.at/oFQRU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@insideexercise Anchor: https://anchor.fm/insideexercise Google Podcasts: shorturl.at/bfhHI Anchor: https://anchor.fm/insideexercise Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4025218 Not medical advice
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