Effects of Exercise on labor time in Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Oral Presentation

Abstract

Background:

    Pregnant women are most concerned about the pain and discomfort during the labor process. If the labor process can be shortened, the pain and discomfort during the process can be reduced. According to the literature, results on whether exercise can reduce labor time in pregnant women are controversial. Therefore, whether pregnant women perform regular exercise can reduce labor time needs to be further explored.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether specific exercise programs can reduce the labor time in pregnant women by using systematic review and meta-analysis.

Materials and Methods:

    Literature search using five databases was performed to search for randomized controlled trials (RCT) on the effect of exercise programs on the duration of labor in pregnant women. The data was searched through September 30, 2020. The included studies were RCTs with uncomplicated pregnant women performing exercise programs during pregnancy. A total of 289 related studies were found. After removing duplicates, review studies, and clinical trials, 9 RCTs met the inclusion criteria and was included in the meta-analysis.

Results:          

    Six studies had significant positive effect on shortening the first stage of labor in uncomplicated pregnant women after performing an exercise program, while significant effects were not found in the other 3 studies. Meta-analysis showed a significant total positive effect on shortening the first stage of labor, but non-significant total effects were found in the second and third stages of labor. The included RCTs indicated that yoga might be the most effective exercise in shortening labor time than the other exercises.