In Babies and more We have talked many times about exercising during pregnancy. Several studies have shown that doing so when we have a healthy pregnancy, and with the approval of our doctor, provides health benefits for the mother and the baby.
Now, a new study adds one more benefit of exercising during pregnancy: doing so helps reduce the duration of labor.
A group of researchers from the Polytechnic University of Madrid conducted this study with the objective of examine the influence it could have on the duration of labor, carrying out an exercise program during pregnancy.
To carry out this analysis, the participation of 508 women with healthy and normal pregnancies, who were divided into two groups when they were between weeks 9 and 11 of pregnancy: one of control and another of those that would be exercised. In the control group 253 women participated, while in the group that would follow the exercise routine, 255 participated.
Those in the second group were assigned a program of moderate aerobic exercises, which they performed for three days a week during the course of your pregnancy.
To analyze the results at the end of the study, the researchers they took into account various factors of the birth of each mother, among which were the duration of each phase of labor, the amount of weight that each mother increased during pregnancy, the use of the epidural and the weight of the baby at birth.
The results showed that women who were in the group that performed aerobic exercises during pregnancy, they had shorter delivery phases than those in the control group.
In addition, they found two other results: among those who exercised, there was a lower probability of using or needing the epidural, and on the other hand, those who did not do physical activity, had bigger babies.
The researchers concluded that carrying a supervised exercise program during pregnancy decreased the duration of the first phase of labor, as well as the total time of the first two phases together, making the total delivery time reduced.
The benefits of exercising during pregnancy
This study joins others who have shown the benefits of having some physical activity during pregnancy, because it not only helps prevent complications, but also it helps our body to be better prepared when the time of delivery arrives.
It is important to mention and remember that not all exercises are appropriate during pregnancy. The ideal is perform low impact exercisessuch as walking, cycling, yoga, pilates, swimming or stretching.
Performing other types of physical activities, such as resistance exercises, high impact or weights, is not recommended during pregnancy, especially if you are not used to exercising before pregnancy. Similarly, it is not recommended to exercise in conditions of extreme heat, as it could cause dehydration.
Before starting any physical activity during pregnancy, you should take certain precautions, such as have a medical check-up and have your gynecologist's approval.
Photos | iStock
Via | Independent
In Babies and more | Recommendations for exercising during pregnancy, Exercises on the floor and in water during pregnancy, which are better? A study tells us,
