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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Jul 2;21(1):480.
doi: 10.1186/s12884-021-03922-2.

The effectiveness of a Pilates exercise program during pregnancy on childbirth outcomes: a randomised controlled clinical trial

Nasim Yousefi Ghandali  1 , Mina Iravani  2 , Abdolhamid Habibi  3 , Bahman Cheraghian  4
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The effectiveness of a Pilates exercise program during pregnancy on childbirth outcomes: a randomised controlled clinical trial

Nasim Yousefi Ghandali et al. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. .

Abstract

Background: Performing exercise with medium intensity has positive effects on the maternal health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Pilates exercise program during pregnancy on childbirth outcomes: METHODS: This clinical trial study was performed on 110 primiparous women who were randomly divided into two groups of intervention (n = 55) and control (n = 55). The intervention group performed Pilates exercises from 26 to 28 weeks of gestation for 8 weeks while the control group did not do any exercise. Data collection tools included Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Mackey Childbirth Satisfaction Rating Scale, and a checklist including demographic and obstetrics information.

Results: The results of the study showed that Pilates exercise during pregnancy significantly reduces the labor pain intensity, length of the active phase and second stage of labor and increases maternal satisfaction of the labor process (p < 0.05). Based on the Kaplan Meyer analysis, the mean whole length of labor was shorter in Pilates exercise group than in the control group (P = .004). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of Episiotomy, type of delivery, first and fifth Apgar score of neonates (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, Pilates exercise during pregnancy improved the labor process and increased maternal satisfaction of chidbirthprocess, without causing complications for the mother and baby. However, studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to prove the efficacy and safty of this practiceduring labor.

Trial registration: IRCT registration number: IRCT20200126046266N1 . Registration date: 2020-05-02 (retrospectively registered).

Keywords: Delivery outcome; Exercise during pregnancy; Labor pain; Pilates.

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Conflict of interest statement

There is no any conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of the progress through the phases of the trial
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Total labor duration in control and intervention groups
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The comparison of Mean ± SD OR Frequency (%) of childbirth outcomes in control and intervention groups
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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