Physical Activity in Pregnancy and Its Association with Mode of Delivery and Delivery Outcomes in Hong Kong Chinese Women

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of physical activity during pregnancy on the mode of delivery and delivery outcomes among Hong Kong Chinese women.
Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to pregnant women who presented to a regional hospital in Hong Kong in 2014. Women with a physical activity level of ≥7.5 compendium-based metabolic-equivalent mean weekly energy expenditure, which is equivalent to exercise at a moderate intensity for ≥30 min/day on most days of the week, were regarded as compliant with a recommendation of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Maternal characteristics, mode of delivery, and delivery outcomes were compared between women who were compliant and those who were non-compliant.
Results: The proportion of women compliant with the ACOG recommendation increased significantly as gestation advanced (from 23.6% in the first trimester to 30.3% in the second and 33.0% in the third, p=0.005). The mode of delivery differed significantly according to physical activity level in the third trimester (p=0.016), but not in the first (p=0.366) or second (p=0.575) trimester. Nonetheless, compliant and non-compliant women were comparable in terms of vaginal delivery, Caesarean section, and delivery outcomes.
Conclusion: Physical activity level in pregnancy is not associated with the rate of Caesarean section or adverse delivery outcomes.