Mode of Delivery according to Leisure Time Physical Activity before and during Pregnancy: A Multicenter Cohort Study of Low-Risk Women

Abstract

Objectives. To examine the association between maternal leisure time physical activity and mode of delivery. Study Design. Population-based multicentre cohort. From the Danish Dystocia Study, we included 2,435 nulliparous women, who delivered a singleton infant in cephalic presentation at term after spontaneous onset of labor in 2004-2005. We analysed mode of delivery according to self-reported physical activity at four stages, that is, the year before pregnancy and during first, second, and third trimester, in logistic regression models. Further, we combined physical activity measures at all four stages in one variable for a proportional odds model for cumulative logits. Main Outcome Measures. Mode of delivery (emergency caesarean section; vacuum extractor; spontaneous vaginal delivery). Results. The odds of emergency caesarean section decreased with increasing levels of physical activity with statistically significant trends at all four time stages except the third trimester. This tendency was confirmed in the proportional odds model showing 28% higher odds of a more complicated mode of delivery among women with a low activity level compared to moderately active women. Conclusions. We found increasing leisure time physical activity before and during pregnancy associated with a less complicated delivery among low-risk, nulliparous women.

Association of objectively measured physical fitness during pregnancy with maternal and neonatal outcomes. The GESTAFIT Project

“…Improved physical fitness is usually observed in women who exercise during pregnancy [6] and is associated with better perinatal health outcomes [7,8]. However, while it is well-established that physical activity improves birth outcomes [9][10][11], studies looking at the relationships between objective assessments of fitness and delivery type, gestational age, duration of labour stages, birth weight and values of umbilical cord blood gas are limited. The causes of caesarean sections and how to reduce caesarean section rates are now a spotlight of research as this type of delivery has been associated with an increased risk of infection compared with vaginal deliveries, higher wound dehiscence, haemorrhage and reduced fertility [12][13][14], as well as an increased risk of allergies, type 1 diabetes or respiratory problems [15] in infants, among other complications.…”

Association of sedentary time and physical activity during pregnancy with maternal and neonatal birth outcomes. The GESTAFIT Project

“…These differences between vaginal and caesarean deliveries might have been stronger with a larger sample size. In fact, Nielsen et al found a decrease in the rate of caesarean sections in women who had greater PA levels during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. These results could be explained by an improvement in placental function in exercised pregnant women .…”

Physical Activity and Nutritional Status in Females With Vaginal Delivery and Cesarean Section in Razi Hospital, Qazvin

“…In the present study, a higher rate of considering nutrition facts label in the control group may reveal a relationship between the higher rate of C-section and the lack of knowledge in nutrition, diet, and physical activity. The lack of knowledge may result in the inability to have a vaginal delivery [12].…”