BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DURING PREGNANCY
Keywords:
pregnancy, activity, benefitsAbstract
Pregnancy is at the same time one of the most beautiful, but also one of the most worrying moments of a woman's life. It can lead to a different set of emotions due to hormonal changes. It is normal for a pregnant woman to feel joy, anxiety, vulnerability. Pregnancy is an ideal time to make positive lifestyle changes, including increased physical activity and healthier eating. Physical activity and exercise during pregnancy are beneficial and improve women's physical and mental health. These benefits also prevent excessive weight gain and reduce the risks of obesity during pregnancy, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, macrosomia, and stillbirth. The lower level of physical activity during pregnancy can be explained by physiological changes such as fatigue and discomfort, fear of harm to the developing fetus, and lack of information about the benefits and risks of physical activity for mother and baby. Activities like walking, swimming, prenatal yoga are safe. It is extremely important to consult a health professional before starting any exercise program during pregnancy. There is currently no consensus recommendation on the role of physical activity and exercise during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to present the benefits of physical activity during pregnancy. Material and methods: the search was performed in the following databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, ReseargeGate. CONCLUSION: All women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should be aware of the benefits of physical activity, and health professionals should promote safe levels of activity and be aware of contraindications, signs and symptoms that suggest physical activity should be modified or avoided.
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