The course of labor after endurance exercise during pregnancy

Article Abstract:

It should be likely that regular physical activity and the resulting physical fitness would benefit the course and outcome of labor. However, studies of this possible association have had conflicting conclusions, presumably due to the confounding effects of maternal, uterine, fetal, and obstetric factors. To better evaluate the consequences of exercise on labor, the obstetrical outcomes of 67 high-intensity exercisers who were at low obstetric risk were evaluated. Forty-six recreational runners and 41 aerobic dancers continued exercise at 50 percent or more of pre-pregnancy exercise levels, while 21 runners and 23 aerobic dancers spontaneously stopped their exercise regimens due to fatigue and nausea or inability to cope with possible risks or suggested decreases in performance levels. The only apparent differences among the groups were that the exercisers gained 7.9 pounds less during pregnancy (chiefly due to lower gains by runners) and had exercised pre-pregnancy at a level 25 percent lower than that of the exercising group. Labor occurred an average of five days earlier among exercisers. Exercisers had significantly fewer obstetric interventions, such as labor stimulation, episiotomy, use of epidural anesthetic, or assisted delivery. This was due to fewer labor protraction disorders and second-stage arrests in the exercising group. Active labor was about one-third shorter in this group, and this trend was significant among women who had previously delivered children. In the nonexercise group, maternal weight gain was significantly related to length of labor. Indicators of fetal stress were more frequent in the nonexercise group, and this was related to the increase in obstetrical interventions. Average birth weight was about two thirds of a pound lower in the exercising group. The results suggest that continued exercise by women accustomed to intensive exercise had a beneficial effect on labor. However, these benefits are not likely to extend to other groups, such as those with higher obstetric risks or those on different exercise programs. At the least, intensive exercise has no major detrimental effect on maternal and fetal health. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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Neonatal morphometrics after endurance exercise during pregnancy

Article Abstract:

It should be likely that regular physical activity and the resulting physical fitness would benefit the course and outcome of pregnancy, including birth weight. However, studies of this possible association have had conflicting conclusions, presumably due to the confounding effects of maternal, uterine, fetal, and obstetric factors. To better evaluate the consequences of exercise on birth weight, infant size was evaluated following the full-term pregnancies of 77 runners and aerobic dancers and 55 women who exercised at similar levels before but not during pregnancy. The exercising women gained 6.4 pounds less than nonexercisers (mostly due to lower weight gains by runners), while dietary intake of the two groups was similar. Length, head circumference, and placental weight were similar among all infants, but infants born to exercisers were lower in birth weight, ponderal index (a ratio of height to weight), and ratio of fetal to placental weight. These changes are suggestive of soft tissue growth restriction, not involving the brain, which typically occurs in later pregnancy. These changes were more marked in infants born to runners than those born to aerobic dancers. Similarly, exercisers' infants had a small skin-fold thickness and a higher ratio of head circumference to abdominal circumference. Most of the differences in birth weight among the groups of infants were attributable to a lower amount of fatty tissue in exercisers' infants. The level of exercise performed by runners correlated significantly to their infants' birth weight. Placental weight and pregnancy weight gain were related to birth weight. The study indicates that intense exercise during pregnancy, in well conditioned women, is associated with a decrease in birth weight, primarily due to decreased fat mass. Further research is needed to improve understanding of the interplay between pregnancy and exercise. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Infants (Newborn), Newborn infants, Birth weight

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The natural history of antenatal nuchal cords

Article Abstract:

The authors have tested the hypothesis that nuchal cords occur throughout gestation, and that nuchal cords do not produce acute fetal compromise before labor, and the results suggest that these cords are normal part of intrauterine life and are rarely associated with morbidity and mortality.

United States, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, Science & research, Research and Testing Services, Gynecological R&D, Research, Analysis, Complications and side effects, Fetus, Obstetrics, Gynecological research

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