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Fitness during Pregnancy:
Good for You and Good for Your Baby

January 15, 2001

You know that you feel better if you exercise. Your skin glows and you sleep more soundly. You eat better and the activity gives some variety to your day. So, keep on exercising throughout your pregnancy.

And, for those of you who have been more sedentary, pregnancy is a fine time to start exercising! Research is showing that a moderate exercise program is good for the unborn child.

A research study, conducted by Dr. James F. Clapp III of MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland and colleagues investigated 46 pregnant women who did not exercise regularly prior to conceiving. The women were 8 weeks pregnant at the time the study began. Of the 46, some embarked on a program of moderate weight-bearing exercise 3 to 5 times per week while others did not exercise.

The women who exercised gave birth to infants who were significantly heavier and longer, with healthier overall weight and body fat compared to those who did not exercise. These findings were published in the December issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The findings of this study indicate that moderate weight-bearing exercise introduced during early pregnancy may be a healthy way to help women who are at risk of bearing low birth-weight babies. These women include older women, those who gain little weight during pregnancy and certain populations of individuals.

It is important to note that the women in this study were considered healthy and generally low-risk. The benefit of moderate exercise to women in risk categories was not determined.

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