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2016 vol. 70
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Physical activity in pregnancy and its impact on duration of labor and postpartum period
Anna Monika Brzęk 1
,
 
Beata Naworska 2
,
 
Kamila Plasun 1
,
 
Anna Famuła 1
,
 
Weronika Gallert-Kopyto 3
,
 
Violetta Skrzypulec-Plinta 4
,
 
Michał Michalski 1
,
 
Zbigniew Sprada 5
,
 
Ryszard Plinta 5
 
 
 
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1
Department of Kinesiology Chair of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
 
2
Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
 
3
Department of Physiotherapy Chair of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
 
4
Department of Women’s Disease Control and Prevention, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
 
5
Department of Adapted Physical Activity and Sport Chair of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
 
 
Corresponding author
Anna Monika Brzęk   

PhD, PT, Department of Kinesiology Chair of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, ul. Medyków 12, 40-754 Katowice, tel. +48 32 208 87 21
 
 
Ann. Acad. Med. Siles. 2016;70:256-264
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18794/aams/66867
 
 
Article (PDF)
References (46) Citations (1)
 
KEYWORDS
physical activity
exercise
pregnancy
labor
postpartum
antenatal classes
 
TOPICS
Nursing and Obstetrics
Health Sciences
 
ABSTRACT
Objectives:
The aim of the work was to assess the level of physical activity of women before and during pregnancy and to determine whether physical exercise influences the course and duration of labor and the postpartum period.

Material and methods:
The study encompassed 63 pregnant women aged 19–36, with a mean pregnancy weight gain of 7–27 kg, no contraindication to physical activity, and term birth. Physical activity was assessed at three stages: before and during pregnancy, and during the postpartum period, with the use of the seven-day international IPAQ questionnaire. The respondents’ physical condition in the postpartum period was assessed with an original 26-item questionnaire.

Results:
The self-assessed level of physical activity before pregnancy was moderate in most respondents (60.3%); only 12.7% of the respondents declared a low level of physical activity. During pregnancy the level of physical activity decreased in 25.4% of the respondents and significantly reduced in 11%. Women who were inactive before pregnancy remained inactive during pregnancy. The mean duration of the second stage of labor in women with moderate and high levels of physical activity was 43.61 min. The length of the entire postpartum period was the shortest (four weeks) in active women.

Conclusions:
Physical activity before and during pregnancy has an impact on the duration of labor and the postpartum period.

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CITATIONS (1):
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Factors in early pregnancy predicting pregnancy‐related pain in the second and third trimester
Ruth Ertmann, Dagny Nicolaisdottir, Volkert Siersma, Gritt Overbeck, Sarah Strøyer de Voss, Frederikke Modin, Melissa Lutterodt
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
 
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