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From: edhall@randvax.ARPA (Ed Hall)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: pregnancy and exercise - (nf)
Message-ID: <1718@randvax.ARPA>
Date: Fri, 24-Feb-84 16:12:03 EST
Article-I.D.: randvax.1718
Posted: Fri Feb 24 16:12:03 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 2-Mar-84 13:42:47 EST
References: <5822@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Organization: Rand Corp., Santa Monica
Lines: 21

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I've no answer to this (other than to say that it depends upon the
woman concerned), but there is one point I've read about that should
probably be mentioned: the body develops an `oxygen deficit' during
vigorous exercise, and deals with this lack by reducing oxygen to
`less essential' areas.  For example, heavy exercise after a meal can
cause stomach cramps due to the shunting of blood from the digestive
system and towards the muscles.  Now, the pregnant uterus is a `high-
priority' organ, and most heavy exercise won't affect its blood
supply.  But sustained, all-out exercise can cause blood to be shunted
from here as well.  I'm not talking about aerobics--something more
like running a marathon.

There is obvious survival value here; a woman's body will usually do
all it can to support the fetus, but in a dire emergency will take
care of itself.

Does anyone have any more information on this particular subject?

		-Ed Hall
		decvax!randvax!edhall