Pregnancy

During pregnancy your body undergoes many physical changes. Exercise is an important part of pregnancy to help your body cope with the physical strain on your joints, muscles, heart and lungs. Regular exercise also improves your mental health and keeps your BMI at a healthy level, which improves labour and pregnancy outcome.

However, it is important to understand how to exercise safely in pregnancy. Inappropriate exercise can cause injury to your joints and muscles and affect your pelvic floor and bladder function.

There are some medical conditions in pregnancy that will require you to reduce or modify your exercise in pregnancy.

Please discuss your exercise plan with your obstetrician, midwife and women’s health physio through out your pregnancy.

Here are some useful evidence based resources.

http://www.pelvicfloorfirst.org.au

https://thewomens.r.worldssl.net/images/uploads/fact-sheets/Pelvic-floor-exercises.pdf

http://www.printgraphics.net.au/myfiles/The_Pregnancy_Guide/index.html#8

It is normal to have some discomfort in early pregnancy. Below are some links to evidence based information on some of the common discomforts you might expect in early pregnancy and when to see your doctor.

https://thewomens.r.worldssl.net/images/uploads/fact-sheets/Common-discomforts-pregnancy.pdf

https://thewomens.r.worldssl.net/images/uploads/fact-sheets/Nausea-vomiting-in-pregnancy.pdf

It is important for you to take extra care of yourself during pregnancy to ensure that you and baby are healthy.

There are certain infections that can cause serious risks to you and your baby.

To minimise these risks it is recommended that all pregnant women receive both the influenza and pertussis vaccines. Immunisation not only protects you but also your baby in their first weeks of life when they are too young to be immunised against these infections themselves.

Whilst planning your pregnancy it is important to check your immunisation status to ensure you are protected against common infectious diseases, which can cause serious risks to you and your baby such as Rubella, Chicken Pox and Pertussis.

For further information please speak to your doctor or visit:

If you're planning to travel while pregnant, see your doctor well in advance. Airlines around the world have different restrictions on pregnant women travelling and you may not be allowed to fly as late into your pregnancy as in Australia. It is a good idea to carry a letter from your doctor verifying the stage of your pregnancy, but check with your airlines for any other requirements. Make sure that your travel insurance also covers your pregnancy.

There are also diseases prevalent in other countries that pose a significant threat to you and your baby that you need to discuss with your doctor.

Useful sites:

Smarttraveller.gov.au

Health.gov.au