Response of pregnancy leg edema to a single immersion exercise session.
BACKGROUND
To quantify the effect of a single immersion exercise session on uncomplicated dependent edema in pregnancy.


METHODS
Lower leg volume was measured by water displacement volumetry and limb circumference in nine women with marked dependent edema, but otherwise normal second or third trimester pregnancy, before and after upright water immersion exercise session (Aqua-Fit) for 45 min. Maternal heart rate was monitored continuously throughout the session. Blood pressure was measured before and after the session.


RESULTS
Mean left leg volume decreased by 112 ml from 1665 to 1553 ml, and right leg volume by 84 ml from 1665 to 1581 ml (P = 0.007). Cardiovascular parameters fluctuated within the normal range, well below the upper limits recommended in pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
A single immersion exercise session is a safe, effective, and enjoyable complement, or alternative, to compression stockings for reduction of gestational dependent edema. Further study is required to determine its duration of effect and the optimum interval between sessions.
Hartmann
Sabine
S
Perinatal Physiology Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Zurich University Hospital, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland. sabi.hartmann@t-online.de
Huch
Renate
R
D000328:Adult; D004487:Edema / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007101:Immersion; D007866:Leg; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D016896:Treatment Outcome