The comparison of the effects of clinical Pilates exercises with and without childbirth training on pregnancy and birth results

Abstract

Childbirth training classes, which are referred to as "childbirth training programs", "prenatal classes" and "pregnant groups", are participated in by the vast majority of pregnant women in the world. 1 The increasing interest of women in various exercise programs in recent years has caused these programs to be adapted for pregnancy and especially during this period even an increased eagerness to exercise with aesthetic concerns has developed. Currently, most women include regular exercise in their lifestyles and are eager to continue exercising during pregnancy. The number of women who decide to exercise for the first time when they become pregnant is lower. 2 Continuing or increasing the level of conditioning exercise during pregnancy reduces the risk of gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia and provides weight control. 3,4 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Association of Canadian Gynecologists and Obstetrics have recently suggested that intensity-adjusted 30-minutes pregnancy exercises should be performed every day of the week if possible, and there were no associated complications. 5,6 The Pilates method of exercise is based on the combination of mind and body and originated from the ancient Greek philosophy and physical activity approach. The Pilates method was initially

Obstetric, maternal, and neonatal outcomes after Pilates exercise during pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…However, there was a conflict in the literature about the efficacy of Pilates in the type of delivery. [17,24,32] In addition, the unreported intensity of the exercise may account for the discrepancy between the 2 groups. [33] Nevertheless, the results supported that Pilates decreased Cesarean sections and increased the number of vaginal deliveries.…”

“…Nine RCTs included, [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] 3 non-RCTs, [11,26,27] and 1 retrospective cohort study [28] with a total sample size of 719 pregnant women. Studies sites varied among many countries, such as Turkey, Brazil, Spain, Iran, Cyprus, South Korea, Australia, and Indonesia.…”

Determining the childbirth stories of women doing prenatal pilates and their views on the advantages of pilates

“…In this study, the women generally mentioned emotional and mental advantages such as having a healthier and more comfortable pregnancy, feeling happy, socializing, having increased commitment and communication with their baby and having less fear of childbirth. In some studies, conducted, it was found that Pilates affected the quality of life positively, improved women's mood, reduced depression, and anxiety (8,10,15,17,18). In the study by Sarpkaya Guder et al, it was determined that primiparous women receiving childbirth preparation training supported by pregnancy Pilates, had less fear of childbirth (9).…”

“…Therefore, considering the advantages of Pilates exercises during labor; it is stressed that abdominal breathing during Pilates will enable women to cope with contractions more easily, push the baby out better, have a more comfortable labor experience and have fewer lacerations in the perineum area (10)(11)(12)(13)(14). In the study by Aktan et al (2021), it was determined that pregnant women doing Pilates exercise and receiving childbirth education had less labor pain, gained less weight during their pregnancy, felt less anxious and the newborns had higher apgar scores in the first minute postpartum (15). In the study conducted by Sarpkaya et al, it was determined that primiparous women receiving childbirth preparation training supported by pregnancy Pilates, had less fear of childbirth, would have vaginal delivery more frequently (9).…”

Significance of Physical Exercise in Pregnancy: Comparison of Short and Long Exercise Programs

“…Accordingly, it was emphasized that muscles that are affected by gestation should be supported by the appropriate exercises during pregnancy to reduce spinal pain and other musculoskeletal pain [13,14]. However, there are no specific guidelines regarding the type, duration, and frequency of exercise for spinal and musculoskeletal pain.…”