Introduction: Physical activity in pregnancy has a beneficial effect on pregnant woman’s health and improves her physical and mental preparedness for childbirth. Despite the positive effects of exercise in pregnancy, very low percentage of pregnant women decide to exercise. A factor that may have an influence on the low percentage of physically active pregnant women and increases doubt in safety of exercise in pregnancy is potential risk for the fetus. Purpose: With this research we want to determine fetal response to exercise. We want to determine whether pregnant women’s heart rate, saturation, blood pressure and body temperature increase or decrease to a still safe limit and how this effects fetal heart rate and the fetal movement, depending on the type of exercise and physical activity of pregnant women before pregnancy. Methods: Firstly, we reviewed Slovenian and foreign professional and scientific literature. Secondly, we performed an experimental part where we performed measurements of pregnant women’s heart rate, saturation, blood pressure and body temperature, fetal heart rate and fetal movements before and after exercise. Measurements were made during exercises of two different levels and intensity. Before starting the research, we obtained the consensus of National Medical Ethics Committee and we also obtained consents of each participating pregnant woman. Results: 31 pregnant women with gestational age between 20 and 37 weeks were included in the sample. Statistically significant differences were detected during the comparison of measured values before and after exercises in women’s body temperature (p = 0.005) and systolic blood pressure (p = 0.007) after the exercise. No statistically significant differences were observed when comparing the results between two different workouts. In the comparison of results in relation to physical activity before pregnancy we detected a difference in saturation before exercise (p = 0,041). Discussion and conclusion: The findings of our research show that exercise during pregnancy, which is carried out according to the latest guidelines and recommendations and is run by licensed trainers, does not have a significant impact on the vital functions of the pregnant woman and the fetus. Based on our findings we can conclude that the latter does not pose a risk to the pregnant woman or fetus. Exercise in pregnancy has a positive impact on the health and well-being of an individual and her child, so promoting exercise in pregnancy is essential.
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