Women who exercise during pregnancy are at risk from a illness that can be fatal for themselves and their baby, it was claimed yesterday. Pregnant women are advised to exercise for at least 30 minutes each day but now scientists claim that there is a distinct link between moderate activity and the condition. Women who exercise for between four and a half and seven hours a week are 65 per cent more likely to develop severe pre-eclampsia. This means that more than three in ten women who do this much exercise will suffer from severe pre-eclampsia. It is thought that excessive exercise in pregnancy may increase stress on the body leading to raised blood pressure. Also, women who dont exercise and possibly have weight problems are more likely to develop gestational diabetes, which again is a very dangerous condition for the baby, and the mother. read more

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Girls as young as 13 will be urged to have contraceptive jabs as part of Government plans to curb teenage pregnancy rates. There are also fears the move could fuel the spread of sexually transmitted infections and that the powerful drugs, which render girls infertile for up to three years, are unsuitable for their young bodies. The Government has written to 21 councils where teenage pregnancy rates have stagnated or risen, telling them to push long-acting reversible contraception injections and implants. Injections are given every eight to 12 weeks, while implants - about the size of a hair grip - are inserted under the skin of the upper arm. read more

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One study shows that women who have had two or more induced abortions reduced their risk for pre-eclampsia by 60 percent. Women who have had one termination previously, have an approximately 16 % reduced risk for pre-eclampsia compared with women who have never had an abortion. These results are from a new study in MoBa, where the link between previously performed abortions, miscarriages and pre-eclampsia were studied. Among women with BMI over 30, this study does not show any protection against pre-eclampsia despite physical activity. Previous studies have shown significant exercise protection – from a 30 – 80 percent lower risk for pre-eclampsia among physically active pregnant women. In some cases, the mother can be unaffected by the condition, but in severe cases, pre-eclampsia becomes life-threatening for mother and baby, with organ failure and risk of convulsions in the mother. read more

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