Maternal Physical Activity During Pregnancy and the Effect on the Mother and Newborn: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: The practice of physical exercise during pregnancy has benefits for both the mother and baby. Currently, there is scientific evidence that supports the inclusion of a monitored physical activity program in the daily activities of pregnant women. The objective of this study is to provide an overview of the current status of the association between physical activity during pregnancy and the effects on the mother and the newborn. Methods: A systematic review of the literature, assessing each study using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, from different databases PubMed, Embase, or ScienceDirect, on the association between maternal physical activity and its effects on the mother and the newborn published from 2010 until 2018 was conducted. Results: About 25 studies were identified and divided into categories according to the health problems affecting the mother or newborn. It was found that 8% of all the studies received a grade B, 68% obtained a grade C, and the remaining 24% obtained less than a grade C. Improved cardiovascular function, decreased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and the limitation of weight gain are among the benefits to the mother with lower percentage of body fat, increased gestational age, and potentially improved neurodevelopment as benefits for the child. Conclusions: The realization of physical activity during pregnancy is supported by most of the studies reviewed. However, given the vulnerability of the studied populations, more studies on the association between physical activity and pregnancy are necessary.

Level of Physical Activity in Pregnant Populations from Different Geographic Regions: A Systematic Review

“…Similarly, previous studies with general populations, show a deep variation in trends in inactivity across regions, income groups, and countries [ 77 ]. Higher rates of insufficient physical activity have been recorded in high-income countries while East and Southeast Asia maintain better physical levels [ 77 ].…”

“…Similarly, previous studies with general populations, show a deep variation in trends in inactivity across regions, income groups, and countries [ 77 ]. Higher rates of insufficient physical activity have been recorded in high-income countries while East and Southeast Asia maintain better physical levels [ 77 ]. In contrast, women and populations with limited economic resources tend to be less physically active than those with greater resources [ 78 ] so this trend could be similar with the pregnant population.…”

Clinical Observation of Effects of Prepregnancy Body Mass Index and Weight Gain during Pregnancy on Neonatal Weight and Delivery Outcome

“…In recent years, the proportion of obese pregnant women has risen sharply, which greatly increases the incidence of HDP and GDM and causes great harm to the health of the puerpera and newborn [13,14]. Also, high BMI during pregnancy would cause fat accumulated in the pelvic cavity of pregnant women, then result in the reduction of the pelvic space and the block of the fetal head in descent, prolong the labour process, and even influence the delivery outcome [15][16][17]. Moreover, adipose tissue secretes a large number of cytokines, which could lead to hormone secretion disorder, uterine atony during delivery, prolonged labour process, and risk of postpartum hemorrhage [18][19][20].…”

Relationship between Eating Habits, Physical Activity and Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Pregnant Women: Sociodemographic Inequalities

“…Regarding physical activity, its benefits during pregnancy include better infant health, producing better neurological development and reducing health problems such as pregnancy-related hypertension and gestational diabetes [ 24 ], or even adverse effects in foetuses and newborns, such as macrosomia and linked complications in delivery [ 25 , 26 ]. In addition, it also appears to exert an influence on the child’s neurological development [ 25 ].…”