Exercise during pregnancy reduces the rate of cesarean and instrumental deliveries: results of a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
In this study, the authors assessed the effects of a structured, moderate-intensity exercise program during the entire length of pregnancy on a woman's method of delivery.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 290 healthy pregnant Caucasian (Spanish) women with a singleton gestation who were randomly assigned to either an exercise (n = 138) or a control (n = 152) group. Pregnancy outcomes, including the type of delivery, were measured at the end of the pregnancy.


RESULTS
The percentage of cesarean and instrumental deliveries in the exercise group were lower than in the control group (15.9%, n = 22; 11.6%, n = 16 vs. 23%, n = 35; 19.1%, n = 29, respectively; p = 0.03). The overall health status of the newborn as well as other pregnancy outcomes was unaffected.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on these results, a supervised program of moderate-intensity exercise performed throughout pregnancy was associated with a reduction in the rate of cesarean, instrumental deliveries and can be recommended for healthy women in pregnancy.
Technical University of Madrid (UPM), Madrid, Spain. barakatruben@gmail.com
Ruben
R
Barakat
Mireia
M
Pelaez
Carmina
C
Lopez
Rocío
R
Montejo
Javier
J
Coteron
D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*