The amount of exercise undertaken during pregnancy should be reasonable, if excessive can compromise fetal health.
Formerly was set at 140 beats per minute as a guideline, but now tends to be replaced by the Perceived Stress Scale or Index of Borg.
The benefits of exercise during the stage of pregnancy are:
* Decrease in severity and frequency of back pain associated with adopting the position.
* Helps control weight gain.
* Improves digestion and reduces constipation.
* Increases energy reserves, since better physical condition, allows efforts using less capacity than a sedentary person should use.
* Reduces postpartum belly.
* Raise the confidence and morale, as the Regular exercise releases endorphins, substances associated with the feeling of comfort and pleasure.
The contraindications to exercise during pregnancy are:
* Pregnancy-induced Hypertension
* Premature rupture of membranes
* Preterm labor pains during pregnancy
* Cervical Insufficiency
* Blood loss continued during the second or third trimester
* Intrauterine growth retardation
