BANGALORE: Experts say for working pregnant women, the fact that they go out and work and do household chores, is fairly sufficient to keep them in good form.
"Though there are some special exercises recommended for pregnant women like the lamaze exercises, it is not imperative that one has to follow these to maintain a healthy pregnancy. It is important to remain physically active throughout pregnancy, unless of course one has been advised bed rest for a medical condition," says Dr Jayashree Murth, consultant gyneacologist, Motherhood Hospital.
Diabetic and hypertensive mothers should watch out though.
Diabetes and hypertension can cause pregnancy complications and put the pregnant woman in a high risk category, where there are increased dangers for both mother and the baby. For diabetics, a special diet will be chalked out by the dietician. They might also be administered insulin injections to control the blood sugar levels.
High blood pressure will have to be controlled with daily tablets. Doctors will prescribe tablets which are least risky for the mother and baby and these do not have significant side-effects for the baby.
Rest and sleep recommended
Experts advise pregnant women to be as physically active as possible. Very strenuous physical exercises or strenuous house work are not advised.
"Towards term, pregnant women should sleep an additional two hours in the afternoon apart from the regular eight hours of sleep at night and the pregnant women should add an extra 350 calories in their trimester. In addition to routine homemade food, they should consume iron and calcium tablets for 100 days during pregnancy and 100 days after delivery. If they are deficient they should consume these tablets twice a day," said Dr Asha Benakappa, HOD, department of paediatrics at Vani Vilas Hospital.Too many sweets and fried food should be avoided as they lead to unnecessary weight gain and do not help in any way.