After the Nada Hafez incident – can pregnant women practice sports?

02:26 PM

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Written by – Nada Sami

Egyptian gun player Nada Hafez, after being eliminated from the round of 16 at the Paris 2024 Olympics, after eliminating the seventh seed in the first round, announced that she seven months pregnant, and the Olympic champion posted on her Instagram account, “I was there with me, my competitor, and my little one who hasn’t arrived yet.”

In the following report, Al-Consulto reviews the effects of exercise during pregnancy on the health of the mother and fetus.

Can a pregnant woman participate in sports competitions?

According to the Olympic Participation Database “Olympedia.org”, there is no clear text that prohibits pregnant women from participating in the Olympic Games, since the skier took Sweden participated in the 1920 Olympics while she was in the third month of pregnancy, and later 25. female champions participated in the Olympic Games during the months of pregnancy – until 2020 – However, the Olympic Committee needs the medical approval of the confirmation of the health status of the mother and fetus, as well as close medical monitoring to ensure their safety.

Dr. Mai Hassan, Obstetrics and Gynecology Consultant, says that exercise during pregnancy helps a woman’s body adapt to the psychological and physical changes that occur during pregnancy, and reducing the chances of them being exposed to health problems related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Read also: Exercise for pregnant women – allowed or forbidden?

She confirmed that it is necessary to exercise under the guidance of the doctor who has been following the condition of the mother since the beginning of the pregnancy, and the guidance that the doctor deems appropriate to implement the condition of the mother, because the case varies according to several factors. , such as the health condition of the mother, if she was used to exercising before, and the type of sport The condition of the fetus, and the months she was pregnant.

Hassan pointed out that it is the mother’s failure to practice any form of exercise before pregnancy that could be a risk to the mother, but that does not mean she should not exercise. do exercise.

The case is different with champions who are used to exercising for long periods, because their body is more reliable and their chances of being exposed to danger are reduced while they are not suffering from problems related to pregnancy the doctor’s consent and regular review in both cases.

Benefits of exercise during pregnancy

Exercising during pregnancy offers a number of potential benefits for both the mother and the fetus, according to “Medical News Today,” and the most obvious benefits are the following:

Improve mood

Women go through many hormonal changes during pregnancy that cause mood disturbances, which increase feelings of sadness and depression, and can lead to severe depression.

By exercising regularly during pregnancy, it helps to improve mood and psychological state and reduces the chances of depression.

Weight control

Women naturally gain weight during pregnancy, about 7 to 10 kilograms at most, but some women gain more than normal, which can cause some problems. for them while they are pregnant.

Adequate exercise helps to manage weight during pregnancy and avoid significant weight gain that threatens the health of the mother and child.

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Helps natural birth

By using certain exercises regularly during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester, it helps to strengthen the pelvic muscles, which helps to pushing the fetus and accelerating the birth process.

Prevents pregnancy complications

Exercising during pregnancy helps prevent serious pregnancy-related health problems, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and high blood pressure.