Concerns
about Supine
Exercise after the First Trimester
Hypotension
is the medical term for low
blood pressure. Supine Hypotensive
Disorder refers to positional
low blood pressure that may
result when the weight of the
uterus compresses the vena cava
(the largest vein of the torso)
to the point that it restricts
blood flow back to the heart.
When blood pressure falls low
enough, a woman will immediately
feel intensely dizzy.
To prevent Supine Hypertensive
Disorder (SHD), the American
College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists (ACOG) advises
women not to exercise on their
backs (supine) after their first
trimesters.
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•
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It has been
theorized that prolonged
or repeated compression
of the vena cave might also
reduce blood flow to the
placenta, which could negatively
impact fetal development.
|
Why Many Perinatal Exercise Experts
Consider Supine Exercise Risks
Negligible
| |
•
|
Researchers
have documented that true
SHD occurs in less than
10% of all pregnancies.
Therefore, 90% of women
can safely exercise on their
backs throughout their pregnancies.
|
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•
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Women who experience these
symptoms always feel an
urgent need to either roll
over or sit up, which quickly
relieves symptoms. |
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•
|
No documentation yet exists
to support the premise that
exercising on the back could
negatively impact fetal
development. |
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•
|
No evidence exists that
resting or sleeping on the
back restricts blood flow. |
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•
|
Rhythmic movement of the
limbs, particularly the
legs, acts like a pump,
which actually increases
the rate of blood flow return
to the heart while exercising
on the back. Additionally,
gravity enhances the blood
flow rate during exercises
that incorporate raised
legs. |
Unfortunately, miscomprehension
about SHD has led some women
to unnecessarily fear that they
might harm their babies while
sleeping on their backs. However
both mom and baby can rest easy.
Sleeping on the back has never
been shown restrict blood flow
to the placenta and baby.
Precautions You Should Observe
with Supine Exercise during
Pregnancy
Still, because controversy
about SHD persists, during pregnancy
you should be cautious if you
choose to exercise while lying
on your back.
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•
|
Exercise on the back for
short durations only. |
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•
|
Watch out for feelings
of dizziness. |
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•
|
If you experience dizziness,
do not exercise on your
back. |
Avoid Prolonged Periods of Standing
Positional
low blood pressure during periods
of prolonged standing poses
greater risks for pregnant women
than supine hypotensive disorder.
Pregnancy hormones relax blood
vessels, and because muscular
contractions are responsible
for pumping blood back to the
heart, prolonged periods of
standing and inactivity increases
the likelihood of pooling of
blood in the legs. Prolonged
standing, especially by the
third trimester, can dramatically
reduce blood flow back to the
heart, causing dizziness, fainting,
and injury due to falls.
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