As a mother of five, I can honestly say that every pregnancy took a toll on me. The most exercise I managed was transitioning from my couch to the minivan and then to the trash can for yet another bout of vomiting (thanks to hyperemesis gravidarum). So, I completely understand and respect how every mom copes with one of life’s most demanding physical and mental journeys.
However, if you’re seeking a bit of encouragement to get moving while you nurture a little one, a recent study conducted in Finland may provide just the boost you need: Researchers discovered that mothers who engaged in exercise at least three times a week during their pregnancies cut their child’s risk of developing asthma by nearly half.
Study Insights
The research, which tracked almost 1,000 mother-child pairs from pregnancy until the children reached age seven, affirmed that this connection persisted even after adjusting for factors such as maternal weight, stress, nutrition, and environmental influences.
“Our findings strongly suggest that maternal exercise during pregnancy has an independent positive effect on the fetus as well as on the later health of the child. While we still don’t fully understand how maternal exercise leads to a reduced risk of asthma in offspring, one possibility is that it aids in fetal lung development,” remarked Emma-Reetta Musakka, BM, MSc, a doctoral researcher at the University of Eastern Finland, in a recent announcement.
Importance of These Findings
Asthma stands as one of the most prevalent chronic conditions among children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 4.9 million children under 18 are currently diagnosed with asthma.
Previously, the primary recommendation for reducing a child’s asthma risk was avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke. However, Dr. Pirkka Kirjavainen, the principal researcher of the study, indicates that this research implies engaging in moderate physical activities—such as brisk walking, prenatal yoga, or swimming—might also provide protective benefits.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that pregnant women aim for about 2.5 hours of moderate exercise weekly. Fortunately, the study found that there were no additional advantages gained from exercising more than three times a week, providing some reassurance that you don’t need to overextend yourself.
Overall Perspective
We’re certainly not suggesting that you should run a marathon while pregnant. Yet, if you can incorporate some level of activity while expecting, it could greatly benefit your child’s health.
The wellbeing of a mother and her baby are interlinked, both literally and metaphorically. Thus, this study significantly highlights that when mothers receive adequate support for their own health, it positively affects the entire family.
Recognizing that pregnancy is undoubtedly challenging, it’s crucial that mothers receive more support—from the preconception stage to postpartum—to simplify self-care. Because when mothers flourish, so do their children.
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