Exercise and Pregnancy

Developing fetus has a need for proper caloric intake, nutrients, and a stable environment Physician exam prior to exercise is a must

Absolute Contraindications for Aerobic Exercise During Pregnancy  Significant Heart Disease  Restrictive Lung Disease  Incompetent Cervix  Persistant 2 nd or 3 rd trimester bleeding  Premature Labor during current pregnancy  Multiple pregnancy  Pregnancy induced hypertension

Relative Contraindications  Anemia  Obesity or underweight (BMI < 12)  Chronic Bronchitis  Poorly Controlled Type I diabetes  Very low pre-pregnancy fitness level  Heavy smoker  Orthopedic Limitations

CV and Metabolic Adaptations to Pregnancy Blood volume ↑ vO 2 at rest and submax ↑ ↑ vO 2 of weight bearing exercise HR at rest and submax ↑ Cardiac output adaptations

Moderate exercise responses  O 2 delivery  Fetal HR responses

Exercise Programming Non-wt bearing modes Moderate ambient conditions Hydration HR- vO 2 relationship