Last Updated on December 21, 2022 by Shabnam Sengupta
Doctors recommend exercising during pregnancy as it has immense benefits. However, as some pregnancies can come with certain risk, it is essential to discuss it with your doctor about its duration and intensity. You can exercise if you are pregnant and diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GD). In this article, we will discuss the benefits of exercising during pregnancy if you have gestational diabetes and factors that you should consider while you are doing it.
Why should you exercise with GD?
Regular exercise is crucial for a woman to have a healthy pregnancy. Exercise can also lower the risk of developing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) in future. For women who are already suffering from GDM, exercise can be safe and benefit pregnancy outcomes. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy when the body becomes resistant to the insulin it produces. It increases glucose levels in your blood. When you exercise, your muscles use up the extra glucose in your body. This results in lowering your blood glucose to normal levels. Researchers recommend that women suffering from this disease can do both aerobic and resistance exercises. However, you should do these at a moderate intensity and perform a minimum of three times a week for 30-60 min each time.
What should you consider while exercising with gestational diabetes?
Always consult your doctor or trainer on what exercises you should and should not do in general during pregnancy. While exercising, you should only seek advice from a medical practitioner to determine the risks of exercising if there are any. While yoga, pilates and aerobic exercise classes are great in pregnancy, ensure your teacher is trained to instruct pregnant women. Avoid all types of contact sports such as football, rugby, hockey or martial arts. Also, avoid any exercise or activity where there is a risk of falling, such as skiing, climbing or horse riding.
Remember, the exercise you are performing should never be strenuous. It should be moderate. This is because strenuous exercise elevates the blood glucose levels in the short term. And the body might release stored glucose to keep up with the body’s heightened demand for energy. The personal targets will always differ from person to person. A woman’s exercise targets will change during the pregnancy, which a doctor will evaluate and determine.
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