Pregnant women often need to sit down frequently due to significant physical changes that increase fatigue, place pressure on the body, and alter balance. The combination of carrying extra weight, hormonal shifts, and cardiovascular adjustments makes rest a necessary part of daily life during pregnancy.
However, experts now warn that pregnant women who sit for excessive periods could be affecting the health of their unborn babies. Even when working long hours at a desk, they are advised to get up and move regularly.
Researchers say limiting sedentary time and increasing light daily activity can significantly reduce the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy.
According to a recent study presented at the American Heart Association EPI|Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026, pregnant women’s risk of developing hypertensive disorders was reduced by almost 30 per cent when they reduced prolonged sitting and increased light movement, such as walking or performing household chores.
For both mothers and newborns, high blood pressure during pregnancy continues to be a major risk of serious illness and mortality.
Preterm birth, low birth weight, organ damage, and, in extreme situations, potentially fatal consequences like eclampsia or stroke can result from hypertensive illnesses, such as gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia.
The study emphasised that it is not just “formal exercise”, but the overall balance between sitting and moving throughout the day that helps reduce the risk.
Researchers had analysed data from 470 pregnant women aged 18 to 45 who were in their first trimester at enrolment and were followed until six weeks after delivery.
Each participant wore activity monitors for 24 hours over seven days in each trimester. This allowed scientists to track how much time they spent sitting, standing, walking lightly, engaging in higher-intensity activity, and sleeping.
The findings showed that about 18.6 per cent of the women developed a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, either gestational hypertension or preeclampsia.
Sedentary time and light physical activity were identified as the strongest predictors of risk across all trimesters, while traditional exercise played a smaller role.
Women whose daily routines included roughly six hours of sitting, nearly eight hours of light activity (such as walking or light housework), about four minutes of higher-intensity activity, and approximately 10 hours of rest had an 8 per cent risk of developing high blood pressure complications. This compares with a 16.9 per cent risk among those with a more typical movement pattern.
This balance of movement reduced risk by more than half compared with the average pattern, and by nearly 80 per cent when compared with the least healthy movement patterns. The risk increased sharply when women sat for more than 10 hours per day or engaged in less than five hours of light activity.
Women who limited sitting to about six hours and spread light activity throughout the day had the lowest risk. In contrast, extended sitting beyond 10 hours and reduced activity significantly increased the likelihood of hypertension.
However, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Dr Timothy Oluwasola, cautioned against linking physical activity alone to reduced risk of hypertensive disorders such as preeclampsia, noting that the condition is complex and influenced by multiple factors.
He explained that while exercise and active lifestyles are beneficial for overall maternal health, they cannot be seen as absolute protection against such conditions.
According to him, preeclampsia should not be attributed to a single cause, such as a sedentary lifestyle, but rather to a combination of interacting factors.
“Preeclampsia is not a disease that is caused by one single factor. It has many causes that work together to result in the condition,” he said.
He noted that although physically active women often experience better cardiovascular health and improved pregnancy outcomes, this does not make them immune to preeclampsia.
Dr Oluwasola acknowledged that exercise during pregnancy is widely recommended and beneficial, particularly for cardiovascular health and overall well-being.
However, he cautioned against drawing direct conclusions about its ability to prevent pre-eclampsia, noting that even highly active women can still develop the condition.
“I saw a patient a few weeks ago who was very active and did not fit the usual risk patterns, yet she developed preeclampsia during labour,” he said.
He explained that this highlights the unpredictable nature of the condition and the need for vigilance regardless of lifestyle.
Dr Oluwasola stated the importance of early identification of risk factors for preeclampsia, noting that some women may already have hypertension before pregnancy without knowing it, while others may develop pregnancy-related hypertension that resolves after delivery stands a higher risk of preeclampsia.
He added that groups at higher risk include first-time mothers, women with a history or risk factors for high blood pressure, and older women.
ALSO READ: Why we killed Al Jazeera journalist, Mohammed Wishah — Isreal
He emphasised that education and awareness are critical in managing risks, advising pregnant women to monitor their blood pressure regularly, attend routine antenatal check-ups, undergo recommended urine tests, and promptly report symptoms such as persistent or unusual headaches, vision changes, or chest pain.
He also pointed out that preeclampsia can sometimes develop suddenly, even during labour, making continuous monitoring essential.
The expert further urged healthcare providers to maintain a “high index of suspicion” for preeclampsia in all pregnant women, regardless of how healthy or active they appear.
“It is not an absolute rule that inactivity leads to preeclampsia or that activity prevents it. We must approach every pregnancy with careful monitoring,” he said.
He reaffirmed that while exercise remains an important part of a healthy pregnancy, it should be combined with proper medical supervision and awareness of warning signs to ensure the safety of both mother and child.
WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TV
Leave a Reply