title: Association between aerobic fitness in late pregnancy and duration of labor in nulliparous women.
abstract: It is established that the level of physical activity in the population generally is too low, and data indicate that pregnant women are no exception. Studies of the effects of aerobic fitness on delivery outcomes are limited. In this observational study, we investigated the effect of aerobic fitness on duration of labor in nulliparous women who started labor spontaneously. Maximal oxygen uptake was measured in 40 nulliparous women at 35-37 weeks of gestation. Duration of labor was defined as the time between 3 cm cervical dilation with regular uterine contractions and delivery. The mean (SD) maximal oxygen uptake was 2.1 (0.3) L/min and duration of labor 583 (317) minutes. Duration of labor was inversely associated with maximal oxygen uptake after adjusting for birthweight (p = 0.034). We conclude that measurement of maximal oxygen uptake is safe in pregnancy at 35-37 weeks and that increased aerobic fitness was associated with shorter labor in nulliparous women who started labor spontaneously.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oslo University Hospital - Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway. k.r.kardel@medisin.uio.no
authors: Kristin Reimers
authors: KR
authors: Kardel
authors: Bjørn
authors: B
authors: Johansen
authors: Nanna
authors: N
authors: Voldner
authors: Per Ole
authors: PO
authors: Iversen
authors: Tore
authors: T
authors: Henriksen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult