1. Why have the recommendations on exercise during pregnancy changed so much over the years? What benefits have been found for both mother and child?
In the past, without scientific documentation about physical activity’s effects during pregnancy, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advised that pregnant women should not involve much in exercise because of high heart rate associated with exercise. The guidelines that the heart rate “should not exceed 140 bpm” for pregnant women did create an unspoken rule that exercise should be limited during pregnancy (page #372). Today, when more evidence of benefits of exercise during pregnancy has been documented, ACOG encourages pregnant women, depending on their conditions, …show more content…
It helps women lower the risks of excessive gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm delivery (page #373). According to Bushman (page #374), exercising women “have a lower risk of delivering a large infant or small infant”. This eventually contributes to the health of the child. Moreover, exercise also has been shown to benefit during the postpartum period, which can help with weight loss and some psychological benefits (page #374).
2. Physical activity during pregnancy is beneficial. What are some ways activities can be modified to maximize safety for mother and baby? Some pregnant women have contraindications to exercise. Thus, before engaging in exercise, women with complicated pregnancies should consult with their health care provider. An exercise prescription is recommendable for these women to modify certain activities and monitor the baby’s well-being (page #376). For instance, to avoid the instability in resistance training, pregnant women should choose weight machines or resistance bands instead of free weights (page #379). They also should modify some stretching activities to account for the “baby bump” and not lie on the back for too long (page #381).
3. How does depression differ from occasional sadness? What mental health resources are available to
In the past, without scientific documentation about physical activity’s effects during pregnancy, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advised that pregnant women should not involve much in exercise because of high heart rate associated with exercise. The guidelines that the heart rate “should not exceed 140 bpm” for pregnant women did create an unspoken rule that exercise should be limited during pregnancy (page #372). Today, when more evidence of benefits of exercise during pregnancy has been documented, ACOG encourages pregnant women, depending on their conditions, …show more content…
It helps women lower the risks of excessive gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm delivery (page #373). According to Bushman (page #374), exercising women “have a lower risk of delivering a large infant or small infant”. This eventually contributes to the health of the child. Moreover, exercise also has been shown to benefit during the postpartum period, which can help with weight loss and some psychological benefits (page #374).
2. Physical activity during pregnancy is beneficial. What are some ways activities can be modified to maximize safety for mother and baby? Some pregnant women have contraindications to exercise. Thus, before engaging in exercise, women with complicated pregnancies should consult with their health care provider. An exercise prescription is recommendable for these women to modify certain activities and monitor the baby’s well-being (page #376). For instance, to avoid the instability in resistance training, pregnant women should choose weight machines or resistance bands instead of free weights (page #379). They also should modify some stretching activities to account for the “baby bump” and not lie on the back for too long (page #381).
3. How does depression differ from occasional sadness? What mental health resources are available to