The effect of antenatal exercise on delivery outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Background: Practicing different forms of exercises during pregnancy could have beneficial effects on maternal outcomes during labor.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of antenatal exercise on the duration of the delivery.

Search strategy: Electronic databases including Web of Science, SCOPUS, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and PubMed were searched using the relevant keywords during August 2019.

Selection criteria: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared any type of antenatal exercise versus no exercise in women who had vaginal delivery.

Data collection and analysis: Data were extracted from eligible studies and pooled in a meta-analysis model. Mean Difference (MD) was used in continuous outcomes, while Risk Ratio (RR) was used to deal with dichotomous outcomes. The main outcome was the duration of the first and second stages of labor while the secondary outcomes included the rate of perineal lacerations and analgesia request by women.

Results: Exercise significantly reduced the duration of second stage of labor (SMD= -0.82, 95 % CI [-1.48, -0.16], p = 0.01). No significant difference was noticed regarding the duration of the first stage of labor, perineal lacerations and request for analgesia.

Conclusion: Antenatal exercise could reduce the duration of the second stage of labor with racial differences.

Keywords: Exercise; Labour; Perineal lacerations; Systematic review.