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Effect of Maternal Exercise on Fetal Umbilical Artery Waveforms: The Comparison of IUGR and AFD Fetuses
Author(s) -
Nabeshima Yuichi,
Sasaki Junichi,
Mesaki Noboru,
Sohda Satoshi,
Kubo Takeshi
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1447-0756
pISSN - 1341-8076
DOI - 10.1111/j.1447-0756.1997.tb00841.x
Subject(s) - medicine , umbilical artery , fetus , gestation , heart rate , obstetrics , cardiology , blood flow , pregnancy , blood pressure , genetics , biology
Objective : To determine the effect of maternal exercise on the fetal blood flow of normal and growth‐retarded fetuses. Methods : The effect of maternal exercise on fetal blood flow was investigated with 24 pregnant women between 36 and 42 weeks' gestation. Seventeen pregnancies were uncomplicated (normal group) and the other 7 were complicated with growth‐retarded fetuses (IUGR group). They underwent graded walking on a treadmill with an upper limit of 150 bpm for the maternal heart rate. The systolic over diastolic velocity ratio (S/D ratio) of the umbilical artery was measured before exercise, and at 3, 5, 10, and 15 minutes after exercise. Results : The mean S/D ratio of the IUGR group before exercise was significantly higher than that of the normal group (p < 0.05). The S/D ratio did not change significantly after exercise, in either the normal group or the IUGR group. Conclusion : This study suggests that maternal exercise at this level of intensity and duration does not have any harmful effect, even on growth‐retarded fetuses that might have placental dysfunctions.