Exercise during Pregnancy and Risk of Late Preterm Birth, Cesarean Delivery, and Hospitalizations

Abstract

Background Federal physical activity guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week during pregnancy. We studied whether regular exercise during pregnancy is associated with preterm birth, cesarean delivery, and hospitalization during pregnancy. Methods Self-reported weekly exercise was ascertained in 3,006 women during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Using multivariable logistic regression, we report the relationship between regular exercise (at least 150 minutes per week) and late preterm birth, cesarean delivery, and hospitalization during pregnancy, controlling for age, race, marital status, education, poverty status, pre-pregnancy BMI weight category, gestational weight gain, and prepregnancy diabetes or hypertension. Results Nearly one-third of women reported meeting current federal physical activity recommendations during pregnancy. Five percent had late preterm birth, 29% had cesarean deliveries, and 20% reported hospitalization during pregnancy. In multivariable analysis, regular exercise during pregnancy was not associated with late preterm birth or hospitalization during pregnancy. Physical activity of 150 or more minutes/week was associated with reduced odds of cesarean delivery compared with less than 60 minutes/week, but the finding was not statistically significant (adjusted OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.69 – 1.07). Conclusion In the First Baby Study, physical activity was not associated with late preterm birth or hospitalizations, and may be associated with decreased odds of cesarean delivery.

Exercise and pregnancy in recreational and elite athletes: 2016 evidence summary from the IOC expert group meeting, Lausanne. Part 2—the effect of exercise on the fetus, labour and birth

“…Cohort and cross-sectional studies suggest that moderate exercise either protects against caesarean delivery or has no impact on this outcome 51 53 55 56 75 88 92–94. In a group of well-conditioned women who regularly performed aerobics or running before pregnancy, those who continued to exercise at or above 50% of their preconception level throughout pregnancy had a lower incidence of caesarean delivery than those who discontinued their regular exercise before the end of the first trimester (6% vs 20%) 95.…”

Physical Exercise During Pregnancy – How Active Are Pregnant Women in Germany and How Well Informed?

“…Positive effects have been described for cardiovascular function, weight gain during pregnancy, musculoskeletal symptoms, muscle cramps and oedema, the development of postpartum incontinence and psycho-emotional problems [5][6][7]. Shortened labour and a lower rate of operative/instrumental delivery appear to be secondary positive effects [5,8,9]. Regular exercise even in the 3rd trimester neither leads to an increased rate of premature delivery nor to increased hospitalisation [8,10].…”

“…Shortened labour and a lower rate of operative/instrumental delivery appear to be secondary positive effects [5,8,9]. Regular exercise even in the 3rd trimester neither leads to an increased rate of premature delivery nor to increased hospitalisation [8,10]. Moreover, mostly on the basis of preclinical data, positive effects on the newborn in terms of longterm risk of chronic metabolic, cardiovascular and oncological diseases are discussed [11].…”

Exercise during pregnancy. A narrative review asking: what do we know?

“…Instrumental delivery or Caesarean section can have many sequelae that condition postpartum recovery. While earlier studies found no influence of exercise on type of delivery,102 103 more recent studies suggest that an association exists between exercise during pregnancy and a reduced need for Caesarean section 104 105…”