Exercise can be very beneficial

Make sure your daughter is getting appropriate exercise during her pregnancy. Her doctor will be able to give her feedback on the type of exercise that she may participate in, and for what duration and intensity.

Exercise that is appropriate will benefit both your daughter and her child, both during and after pregnancy.

The American College of Sports Medicine published a report ("ACSM Roundtable Consensus Statement: Impact of Physical Activity during Pregnancy and Postpartum on Chronic Disease Risk") which reviewed the research about pregnancy and exercise in 2006 and offered a summary of the benefits of exercise during pregnancy and after childbirth:

- Exercise Reduces Risk of Preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a condition marked by high blood pressure, proteinuria (protein in urine) and edema in the mother, which makes her more likely to experience metabolic disturbances during this time similar to those with coronary heart disease and chronic hypertension. One study indicated women who were physically active on a regular basis experienced a 43% risk reduction of preeclampsia as compared to sedentary women. Also, risk appears to decrease as average time spent performing physical activities increased. A reduction in risk has been related to moderate activities most pregnant women can do, such as walking or climbing stairs.

- Exercise Treats or Prevents Gestational Diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes during pregnancy related to a shift in hormones causing insulin resistance and high blood glucose. Physical inactivity and obesity are risk factors. Exercise is considered an adjunctive therapy for this condition. For some women, exercise alone may be sufficient to control glucose levels due to increased insulin sensitivity. The panel noted guidelines for frequency, intensity, duration and type of exercise that will produce optimal outcomes for women at risk or with gestational diabetes are unknown with existing data, and more research is needed.

- Exercise Helps Manage or Alleviate Pregnancy-Related Musculoskeletal Issues. While virtually all women experience some musculoskeletal discomfort during pregnancy, exercise and previous physical fitness can help manage low back pain, pregnancy-related urinary incontinence, abdominal muscle disturbances, and joint and muscle injuries.

- Exercise Links Breastfeeding and Postpartum Weight Loss. Studies performed on breastfeeding women who exercise indicate benefits through improved aerobic fitness, plasma lipids and insulin response. It is the consensus of the panel that weight loss can occur through moderate exercise and calorie restriction without negatively affecting breast milk production and infant growth.

- Exercise Positively Impacts Mood and Mental Health. Most women experience negative mood symptoms during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Exercise has been shown to improve mood, increase vigor, reduce fatigue, stress and anxiety, decrease symptoms of negative mood and depression, and improve self-concept.

- Exercise affects Offspring Health and Development. Evaluation of the many types of exercise and physical activities performed by pregnant women indicate no increased risk of abnormal outcomes to the baby based on their activity. The panel advises that beginning or continuing recreational weight-bearing exercises during pregnancy has both short- and long-term positive effects on offspring growth and development.

So find out what kind of exercise your pregnant daughter can do, and then exercise with her!