Gestational diabetes is far too common in India. And this is a direct function of inactivity and a surplus of calories consumed during pregnancy. 

Besides, the quality of calories i.e protein, omega 3 and micronutrient intake by the mother has a much more direct and critical impact on the brain and healthy development of the foetus. 

Far too often we conflate an overweight mother and foetus with a healthy outcome. It is not necessarily true. 

We have helped 12 women including my wife with their training through pregnancy. Strength training is also a useful tool to help couples who are a having a hard time conceiving. 

The paradoxical advice women receive from family and doctors is to NOT train while they are pregnant. 

Do you take a weapon away from a soldier as they enter the battlefield? 

This is counterproductive. More muscle and more importantly more strength helps women during birth and the subsequent recovery. The reasons for why it helps is self evident. Labour is called labour for a reason. It is the hardest work and women could use every ounce of muscle they can pack on to help with the cause.