Sitting down is probably the leading source of enjoyment among pregnant women, but now doctors are warning that sitting down too often while you’re expecting could lead to serious health problems.
University of Warwick researchers asked 1,200 pregnant women to describe their daily exercise levels and their emotional wellbeing during the first and second trimesters.
Their findings revealed that women who reported feelings of depression in early pregnancy were more likely to sit in one place for longer periods. This lack of physical activity contributed to excess weight gain during the pregnancy and an increased risk of gestational diabetes.
According to study author Dr Nithya Sukumar, of the Warwick Medical School:
“Pregnant women could benefit from early intervention to improve their physical and mental health and reduce the risks associated with sedentary behaviour. Gestational diabetes can increase the risk of birth complications for the mother and baby and so it is important we minimise this risk by reducing the time that pregnant women spend sitting down,”
It could be as easy as taking a walk if you’re feeling a bit down or having a bit of a boogie in the kitchen while you’re making dinner, but the message here is that even gentle movement can help you feel a bit brighter when the blues set in and protect your physical health to boot.
Our advice? Make like Taylor Swift and Shake it Off. Then reward yourself with a little nap.
