Effect of maternal exercise on fetal umbilical artery waveforms: the comparison of IUGR and AFD fetuses.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of maternal exercise on the fetal blood flow of normal and growth-retarded fetuses.


METHODS
The effect of maternal exercise on fetal blood flow was investigated with 24 pregnant women between 36 and 42 weeks' gestation. Seventeen pregnancies were uncomplicated (normal group) and the other 7 were complicated with growth-retarded fetuses (IUGR group). They underwent graded walking on a treadmill with an upper limit of 150 bpm for the maternal heart rate. The systolic over diastolic velocity ratio (S/D ratio) of the umbilical artery was measured before exercise, and at 3, 5, 10, and 15 minutes after exercise.


RESULTS
The mean S/D ratio of the IUGR group before exercise was significantly higher than that of the normal group (p < 0.05). The S/D ratio did not change significantly after exercise, in either the normal group or the IUGR group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that maternal exercise at this level of intensity and duration does not have any harmful effect, even on growth-retarded fetuses that might have placental dysfunctions.
Nabeshima
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hakujuji General Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan.
Sasaki
J
J
Mesaki
N
N
Sohda
S
S
Kubo
T
T
D003971:Diastole; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005333:Fetus / Q000098:blood supply*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D013599:Systole; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology*