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Regular moderate-intensity exercise performed over the second-third trimesters of pregnancy can be used to attenuate important GDM-related adverse outcomes.

In this study, the authors assessed the effects of a structured, moderate-intensity exercise program during the entire length of pregnancy on a woman's method of delivery. Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 290 healthy pregnant Caucasian (Spanish) women with a singleton gestation who were randomly assigned to either an exercise (n=138) or a control (n=152) group. Pregnancy outcomes, including the type of delivery, were measured at the end of the pregnancy.Results:The percentage of cesarean and instrumental deliveries in the exercise group were lower than in the control group (15.9%, n=22; 11.6%, n=16 vs. 23%, n=35; 19.1%, n=29, respectively; p=0.03). The overall health status of the newborn as well as other pregnancy outcomes were unaffected. Conclusions:Based on these results, a supervised program of moderate-intensity exercise performed throughout pregnancy was associated with a reduction in the rate of cesarean sections and can be recommended for healthy women in pregnancy.

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