Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

What Is the Impact of Exercise During Pregnancy?

Scientists report in the BMJ that women with healthy lifestyles during their first pregnancy are much less likely to experience complications such as high blood pressure or premature delivery. Some of these lifestyle factors can’t be changed (socioeconomic status, family history of hypertension during pregnancy, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy), but the investigators urge women planning to conceive to control blood pressure with exercise and follow a diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and low in salt and alcohol. Cigarette smoking and recreational drug use are too obvious to belabor.

[BMJ, Nov. 21, 2013]

This news comes on the heels of a study presented at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting showing that mothers who exercised during pregnancy gave birth to babies with more mature brain function in the neonatal period. It’s high time for our culture to stop treating pregnant women like delicate creatures and start cheering as they run, or walk, through a healthy pregnancy.

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
0- 0 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.