Low physical activity during pregnancy as a risk factor for obstetric complications

The purpose — to assess the impact of physical activity on the course of pregnancy, childbirth and the health of newborns. Material and methods. The course of pregnancy, childbirth and the health of newborns in two groups of pregnant women were analyzed. Group I consisted of 417 patients whose physical activity was assessed in the first trimester (8–10 weeks). An individual pregnancy management program was proposed to them based on the assessment, which included recommendations on physical activity. Group II consisted of 394 women undergoing dispensary observation in antenatal clinics in Perm and managed according to “Normal Pregnancy-2023” clinical recommendations. Results. We found that 257 people (61.6%) had a low level and 111 patients (26.6%) — an intermediate level of physical activity. A high level of physical activity was determined in 47 women (11.8%). Next, the relative risk of obstetric complications with a low level of physical activity during pregnancy was calculated. It turned out that in this case the risk of miscarriage increases twofold (OR = 1.966; 95% CI: 1.042–3.709), gestational diabetes mellitus — one and a half times (OR = 1.684; 95% CI: 1.006–2.819), preeclampsia — four and a half times (OR = 4.763; 95% CI: 1.035—21.907), fetal growth retardation — twofold (OR = 1.823; 95% CI: 1.037–3.205), and of intrahepatic cholestasis — more than fourfold (OR = 4.234; 95% CI: 1.204–14.890). Conclusion. The study demonstrates that more than half of women have a low level of physical activity during pregnancy (257 people/61.6%). Compliance with recommendations for prenatal physical activity requires minimal resources of both patients and the state healthcare system in general. Close cooperation between the patient, obstetrician-gynecologist and physical activity specialists is necessary to ensure an adequate level of physical activity during pregnancy.