17 February 2012
Having a dog could be a woman's best friend when it comes to staying active in between baby scans.
Data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children was studied by the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, with dogs found to be very beneficial to soon-to-be mothers.
According to the research, pregnant women who own a dog are commonly more physically active than those that do not have a pet.
In fact, the study determined that women were 50 per cent more likely to achieve their recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day with the help of a pooch, thanks to brisk walking activities.
Dr Sandra McCune, research programme manager at the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, commented: "As a low-risk exercise, dog walking can help women who may otherwise find it hard to meet their exercise targets, keep active and fit during pregnancy."
Louise Whyte, founder of Penelope Fitstar and a personal trainer specialising in pregnancy and post-natal exercise, recently urged pregnant women to get enough sleep to help with their labour process.
Posted by Philip Briggs
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