Doppler examinations of fetal and uteroplacental blood flow in AGA and IUGR fetuses before and after maternal physical exercise with the bicycle ergometer

Abstract

From the results obtained we conclude that maternal exercise does not significantly alter uterine and umbilical perfusion in AGA and IUGR pregnancies, suggesting an absence of change in the uterine vascular bed resistance. However, submaximal maternal exercise was followed by fetal cerebral vasodilatation and an increase of resistance in the fetal aorta that was more evident in IUGR fetuses. This might be due to slight fetal hemoglobin desaturation in those cases.

Assessment of foetal wellbeing in pregnant women subjected to pelvic floor muscle training: a controlled randomised study

“…This phenomenon has been demonstrated not only in normal pregnancies, but also in pregnancies with foetuses showing IUGR, defined by Ertan et al [23] as a foetal abdominal circumference smaller than the 5th percentile. The above data indicate that the cerebral arteries can respond to minimal variations in haemoglobin saturation, providing an efficient protective mechanism for the foetal brain [12,13,23].…”

“…Some investigation of the behaviour of the foetal middle cerebral artery after exercise has shown a transient fall in flow resistance due to reflex cerebral vasodilation [13,23]. This phenomenon has been demonstrated not only in normal pregnancies, but also in pregnancies with foetuses showing IUGR, defined by Ertan et al [23] as a foetal abdominal circumference smaller than the 5th percentile.…”

“…This assertion is justified because the foetus in pregnant women is closer to the hypoxia and acidaemia threshold and adaptive phenomena may fail [23,24]. In these cases the blood flow in the uteroplacental and foetal beds has a permanently altered pattern of redistribution and the responses in situations of greater demand may be insufficient to properly equilibrate the gas exchanges.…”

Maternal-fetal acute responses to two moderate-intensity exercise types: a randomized clinical trial

“…Furthermore, various studies have evaluated fetal-placental blood flow by Doppler velocimetry, with the majority reporting rapid return of blood flow shortly after exercise end [22,23]. Unfortunately, it is impossible to evaluate blood flow during exercise, since a tracing cannot be obtained while the woman is in constant movement.…”

Influencia del ejercicio físico aeróbico durante el embarazo en los niveles de hemoglobina y de hierro maternos. (Influence of the fhysical aerobic exercise during pregnancy in the maternal haemoglobin and iron levels).

“…Mientras el estudio de Ertan encuentra un descenso en los niveles de hemoglobina después del ejercicio (Ertan et al, 2004), Jovanovic no ha encontrado diferencias en los niveles de hemoglobina antes y después del ejercicio físico en mujeres gestantes (Jovanovic, Kessler y Peterson, 1985).…”