Experts Suggest Moms-to-be Should Be More Active

A pair of recommendations made by St. Louis-based researchers are challenging old notions about diet and exercise regimens for pregnant women. 

“For too long, physicians have told patients to eat for two and not to move during pregnancy,” says Raul Artal, M.D., chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. “I used to tell my patients to gain 30 pounds during a pregnancy. But I changed my recommendation when I noticed women are heavier than they used to be.” 

Terry Leet, Ph.D., a study author and associate professor of community health at Saint Louis University School of Public Health, said obstetricians and gynecologists need to do a better job of encouraging women with uncomplicated pregnancies to exercise. 

“The message is not getting out that women should continue to exercise during pregnancy, at least at moderate intensity,” Leet said. “Only one of every six pregnant women are meeting the current physical activity recommendation of 30 or more minutes of moderate physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week.” 

Under the Institute of Medicine current guidelines, expectant mothers of normal weight are encouraged to gain between 25 and 35 pounds during pregnancy. For moms who were underweight to start with, the guidelines say to gain up to 40 pounds. Those women who were overweight prior to becoming pregnant are told to gain between 15 and 25 pounds. 

“Between 20 and 25 pounds is probably too much weight for most women, considering 60 percent of the population is overweight or obese,” Artal said. 

Instead of using a set guideline, Artal now makes his recommendation on weight gain after looking at the woman’s current weight and the estimated weight of the baby. 

"There’s no reason to pack on the pounds. The cost of pregnancy is anywhere between 150 and 300 calories a day,” Artal said. “To put that into perspective, 120 calories is a glass of milk.”