From the Guidelines
The best recommendation for JL is to continue the 30 minutes of exercise and aim for at least 5 days per week. As a 32-year-old who is 27 weeks pregnant with gestational diabetes, regular exercise is beneficial for managing blood glucose levels and promoting overall health during pregnancy. The current 30-minute duration is appropriate, but increasing the frequency from three to five days per week would provide more consistent glycemic control. According to the 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy 1, pregnant women should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week to achieve clinically meaningful reductions in pregnancy complications.
Key Considerations
- For pregnant women with gestational diabetes, moderate-intensity exercise like jogging is safe to continue if she was doing it before pregnancy and feels comfortable.
- The guideline recommends physical activity to be accumulated over a minimum of 3 days per week; however, being active every day is encouraged 1.
- JL should ensure she stays hydrated, avoids overheating, and stops if she experiences any warning signs such as vaginal bleeding, contractions, dizziness, or unusual shortness of breath.
- Incorporating a variety of aerobic and resistance training activities can achieve greater benefits, and adding yoga and/or gentle stretching may also be beneficial 1.
Benefits of Exercise
- Improves insulin sensitivity
- Reduces the need for insulin therapy
- Potentially leads to better pregnancy outcomes
- Helps manage blood glucose levels and promotes overall health during pregnancy
By following this exercise regimen, JL can effectively manage her gestational diabetes and promote a healthy pregnancy outcome, as supported by the strong recommendation and moderate-quality evidence from the 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy 1.
From the Research
Exercise Recommendations for Gestational Diabetes
- The current exercise routine of JL, which is jogging for 30 minutes three days per week, can be beneficial for managing gestational diabetes 2, 3.
- Studies have shown that physical activity interventions can improve glucose control and reduce insulin use in women with gestational diabetes 3, 4.
- However, it is essential to consider the individual's physical health status and concurrent priorities when recommending exercise routines 5.
- There is no specific evidence to suggest that JL should stop jogging and try walking instead, decrease to 20 minutes, or continue the 30 minutes and aim for at least 5 days per week 2, 6, 3, 4.
- The primary treatments for gestational diabetes are diet and increased exercise, and insulin, glibenclamide, and metformin can be used to intensify the treatment 2.
- A deeper understanding of the risk factors and pathogenesis of gestational diabetes is necessary to provide effective treatment and reduce perinatal and metabolic complications 2, 6.
Key Considerations
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant women with gestational diabetes engage in regular physical activity, such as brisk walking, to improve glucose control and reduce the risk of complications 3, 4.
- However, the optimal exercise routine for women with gestational diabetes is not well-established, and more research is needed to determine the most effective and safe exercise programs 6, 4.
- JL's healthcare provider should monitor her glucose levels and adjust her exercise routine as needed to ensure that she is getting the benefits of physical activity while minimizing the risks 2, 3, 4.