Physical activity has substantial benefits and minimal risks for pregnant women. This includes women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which is glucose intolerance of variable severity that occurs during pregnancy.
GDM is a common complication of pregnancy, with reports of its incidence ranging from 3.5 to 12%. The associated risks include maternal hypertension and pre-eclampsia, birth trauma from macrosomia for the baby, and the longer-term risk of developing type 2 diabetes in both mother and baby.
Physical activity is recommended for women with GDM because it improves glycaemic control, which is a critical factor in reducing the associated risks for the mother and her baby. When performed at a moderate intensity for 30 minutes on most days of the week, physical activity is a safe and effective adjunctive intervention for GDM.
Experiencing GDM may influence women’s attitudes to physical activity, either negatively (eg, heightened perception of risk) or positively (eg, more frequent contact with health professionals providing advice about being physically active).