Staying Active during pregnancy
Staying active is important during pregnancy, according to one study women who take regular physical exercise are 40% less likely to miscarry (2). Helpful exercises were swimming, jogging and aerobics. Unfortunately activities like house work, child care and exertion were often too sporadic only sustained aerobic exercise was found to be beneficial.
Exercise is safe during pregnancy research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (3) demonstrated no risk to mum or growing baby if pre pregnancy exercise levels were maintained. Another study (4) confirmed this but warned against excessive exertion.
We frequently treat people in pain which limits or prevents them exercising. Usually we can relieve the pain and then rehabilitate the injured areas so our patients can exercise regularly. We can do the same for pregnant women to help them stay active. We also offer advice about which exercises will best suit them.
It’s particularly important to listen to your body during pregnancy. If you are in pain don’t dose yourself up on pain killers then go exercising because you are likely to worsen the injury. One effect of Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen is to decrease prostaglandin production throughout the body. Prostaglandins are required to help the implanting of the embryo and if they are reduced it can hinder the implanting process. Two studies (5&6) have shown taking NSAIDs around the time of conception or for more than a week in the early stages of pregnancy will increase the risk of a miscarriage by 80%. This means the risk is nearly doubled.
Paracetamol only affects prostaglandin levels in nerves (not blood levels) and does not increase the risk of miscarriage. However we believe it’s far better to have the cause of your pain treated rather than masking the problem with medication.
To see which conditions we treat in pregnancy link to Aches and Pains
To learn how treatment may help labour link to natural labour
Parents to be? We recommend the National Childbirth Trust antenatal classes. They’ll teach you all you need to know about Pregnancy and labour, link to www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com
