A new research claims that too much exercise in pregnancy may cause dangerous high blood pressure. For study, more than 85,000 women were enrolled at the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC) between 1996 and 2002. The researchers found that due to intense physical activity oxidative stress induces in the mother and contributes to the development of pre-eclampsia. 

Study suggested that taking more than 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per day was linked to pre-eclampsia and those who engaged in exercise less than 270 minutes a week showed no association with pre-eclampsia. The author said, “Recommendations have been issued in several countries that pregnant women should exercise at least 30 minutes each day.”

In UK Pre-eclampsia causes the deaths of up to 10 mothers and around 1,000 babies in a year. One in 14 women affected by this condition to some extent and one in 100 pregnancies it develops serious complications. More than one hour and fifteen minutes of jogging in a week doubled the risk of pre-eclampsia. Professor Philip Steer, BJOG editor-in-chief, added that while general fitness was a good thing in many respects for pregnant women, “these data suggest that it may be unwise to exercise to peak fitness levels.”

“This new research is useful as it provides us with an indication of how much exercise pregnant women should take. As with everything in life, too much of a good thing can be bad for you, and moderation in all things remains a good policy.”