Association between the physical activity level in the third trimester of pregnancy and the gestational age at birth.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the physical activity level in the third trimester and the time of labor onset.

Methods: Two hundred and sixty women with low-risk pregnancies, who gave birth at 37 weeks of gestation or beyond, and completed the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire were included in this prospective, cross-sectional study. According to the gestational age at delivery, the study population was divided into case (≥41 weeks) and control (37-406/7 weeks) groups. The clinical characteristics and the physical activity levels of the two groups were compared. The physical activity levels of the participants were also compared according to the delivery route.

Results: The nulliparity rate (54.3 vs. 21.7%), the median gestational weight gain (10.5 [2-30] vs. 10 [2-25] kg), and the cesarean delivery rate (27.7 vs. 6.6%) were higher in the case group than the control group (p<0.05). While the median level of sedentary activity was higher, the median moderate-intensity activity level and the median household/caregiving activity level were lower in the case group than the control group (p<0.05). The level of sedentary activity was also higher in women who gave birth by a cesarean section than vaginally (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Physical activity in the third trimester was associated with the time of labor onset. Decreased moderate-intensity and household/caregiving activity levels and an increased level of sedentary activity in the last trimester of pregnancy were found in women who gave birth at ≥41 weeks of gestation. A decreased level of sedentary activity was observed in women who gave birth vaginally.