Physical activity during pregnancy: maternal haemodynamics and obstetrics outcomes

Objective. Physical isometric activity causes a pressure overload and subsequent a physiological concentric ventricular hypertrophy; isotonic activity, due to a volumetric overload, leads to balanced four-chambers dilatation. Similar modifications also occur during pregnancy. Objective of this study is to evaluate haemodynamic changes and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women according to the quote of MET/h/week-1 spent during pregnancy.
Materials and Methods. This prospective multicentric study includes health pregnant women at term; exclusion criteria are maternal-foetal diseases or indication for elective CS.
To the women enrolled a validated “Pregnancy physical activity questionnaire” (PPAQ) has been administrated and the cohort has been divided in two groups: above and below the PPAQ value corresponding at the 75th centile (= 287.72 MET × h/week-1). Haemodynamics has been evaluated through USCOM. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes have been collected by electronic clinical charts.
Results. Maternal baseline in two groups shows that more nulliparous and more ART-concepted pregnancy less physical activity group.
Maternal haemodynamics in two groups differs by an higher VPK (p = 0.003) and trend for a lower SV (p < 0.074) in more physical activity group. In this group, also a lower rate of obstetric lacerations (p = 0.002) has been described as well as a trend for a lower rate of operative delivery intervention (p = 0.075).
Conclusions. The study describes that higher level of physical activity during pregnancy positively affects labour, reducing the risk of vagino-perineal tears, and the rate of obstetric intervention, without affecting maternal-fetal complications. USCOM parameters vary according to the quote of MET/h/week-1 spent.