Association of Self-Reported Physical Fitness during Late Pregnancy with Birth Outcomes and Oxytocin Administration during Labour—The GESTAFIT Project

Laura Baena-García, Nuria Marín-Jiménez, Lidia Romero-Gallardo, Milkana Borges-Cosic, Olga Ocón-Hernández, Marta Flor-Alemany and Virginia A. Aparicio
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Laura Baena-García: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 51001 Ceuta, Spain
Nuria Marín-Jiménez: Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), 18007 Granada, Spain
Lidia Romero-Gallardo: Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), 18007 Granada, Spain
Milkana Borges-Cosic: Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), 18007 Granada, Spain
Olga Ocón-Hernández: Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit, ‘San Cecilio’ University Hospital, 18016 Granada, Spain
Marta Flor-Alemany: Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), 18007 Granada, Spain
Virginia A. Aparicio: Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INYTA), Biomedical Research Centre (CIBM), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-11

Abstract: We explored (a) the associations between self-reported maternal physical fitness and birth outcomes; (b) whether self-reported maternal physical fitness (PF) is related to the administration of oxytocin to induce or stimulate labour. Pregnant women from the GESTAFIT project randomized controlled trial (n = 117) participated in this prospective longitudinal study. Maternal physical fitness was assessed through the International Fitness Scale at the 34th gestational week. Maternal and neonatal birth outcomes and oxytocin administration were collected from the obstetric medical records. Umbilical arterial and venous cord blood gas were analysed immediately after birth. Self-reported overall fitness, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and flexibility were not related to any maternal and neonatal birth outcomes (all p > 0.05). Greater speed-agility was associated with a more alkaline arterial ( p = 0.04) and venous ( p = 0.02) pH in the umbilical cord blood. Women who were administered oxytocin to induce or stimulate labour reported lower cardiorespiratory fitness ( p = 0.013, Cohen’s d = 0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.14, 0.93) and flexibility ( p = 0.040, Cohen´s d = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.89) compared to women who were not administered oxytocin. Greater maternal physical fitness during pregnancy could be associated with better neonatal birth outcomes and lower risk of needing oxytocin administration.

Keywords: umbilical cord blood; maternal health; physical fitness; flexibility; pregnancy outcomes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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