Sunday, February 3, 2019

Safety Precautions for Exercise During Pregnancy

The New 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity Throughout Pregnancy gives the following advice 

  • Avoid physical activity in excessive heat, especially high humidity.
  • Avoid activities which involve physical contact or danger of falling.
  • Avoid scuba diving.
  • Lowlander women (ie living below 2500m) should avoid physical activity at high altitude (>2500m). Those considering physical activity above those altitudes should seek supervision from an obstetric care provider with knowledge of the impact of high-intensity physical activity on maternal and fetal outcomes.
  • Those considering athletic competition or exercising significantly above the recommended guidelines should seek supervision from an obstetric care provider with knowledge of the impact of high-intensity physical activity on maternal and fetal outcomes.
  • Maintain adequate nutrition and hydration- drink water before, during and after physical activity.
  • Know the reasons to stop physical activity and consult a qualified healthcare provider 

Reasons to stop physical activity and consult a qualified healthcare provider 

  • Persistent excessive shortness of breath that does not resolve on rest.
  • Severe chest pain.
  • Regular and painful uterine contractions.
  • Vaginal bleeding.
  • Persistent loss of fluid from the vagina indicating rupture of membranes.
  • Persistent dizziness or faintness that does not resolve on rest.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Share your thoughts here: