Physical activity is an important part of any healthy pregnancy.

For women with gestational diabetes, the benefits include:

• It helps to reduce insulin resistance
• It can help to manage blood glucose levels

Always check with your doctor prior to commencing physical activity or an exercise program. This is especially important if you were not exercising regularly prior to your pregnancy or to your diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

Generally, moderate intensity activity (a slight but noticeable increase in breathing and heart rate) is beneficial. This is not the same as daily routine activities such as housework and shopping.

Aim for 30 minutes per day. A brisk walk for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week is a good goal.

You can break up your activity into smaller chunks of time during the day. As long as you are doing your activity at a moderate effort for at least 10 minutes at a time.

You may find it helpful to include some walking after meals to assist in controlling blood glucose levels.

Choose an activity that fits in with you, swimming, aqua aerobics, pregnancy yoga, tai chi or an antenatal exercise class may appeal to you.