Influence of maternal muscle activity on labor and pregnancy outcome

Abstract EN

Physical activity in all stages of life maintains and improves cardio respiratory fitness, reduces the risk of obesity and associated comorbidities and results in greater longevity.

Physical activity in pregnancy has minimal risks and has been shown to benefit most women, although some modifications to exercise routines may be necessary because of normal anatomic, physiologic changes and fetal requirements.

So, this is a hospital longitudinal study extended from January 2015 to August 2015 on 100 female subjects all are volunteers seen in first stage of labor of full-term pregnancy, 63 subjects are performing relatively maternal muscle activity and 37 female subjects are performing strenuous muscle activity are included in the study.

Then all participants had their labor and new born outcomes evaluated through consultation of medical records.

There were statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding duration of 2^nd stage of labour, type of labour, Apgar score and placental separation whether early or late, but no significant difference between the two groups regarding complete or partial separation of placenta.

Conclusion: Relatively maternal muscle activity of women is healthy and beneficial and is associated with less disturbance of pregnancy and labor outcomes, while on the other hand strenuous muscle activity is harmful being associated with many pregnancy complications such as prolonged second and third stage of labor, lower odds ratio of eutocic birth, statistically significant decrease in first and fifth minute APGAR score after labor, increased rate of Cesarean section and difficult vaginal delivery.

Recommendation: All obstetricians, family medicine doctors and health care providers trained for advice and intervention to modify pregnant physical activity to adapt her life circumstances and her pregnancy issues.

Further studies to examine association between maternal muscle activity and pregnancy and labor outcomes.