Type of delivery is not affected by light resistance and toning exercise training during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

We examined the effect of light-intensity resistance exercise training that is performed during the second and third trimester of pregnancy by previously sedentary and healthy women on the type of delivery and on the dilation, expulsion, and childbirth time. We randomly assigned 160 sedentary women to either a training (n=80) or a control (n=80) group.

We recorded several maternal and newborn characteristics, the type of delivery (normal, instrumental, or cesarean), and dilation, expulsion, and childbirth time. The percentage of women who had normal, instrumental, or cesarean delivery was similar in the training (70.8%, 13.9%, and 15.3%, respectively) and control (71.4%, 12.9%, and 15.7%, respectively) groups.

The mean dilation, expulsion, and childbirth time did not differ between groups. Light-intensity resistance training that is performed over the second and third trimester of pregnancy does not affect the type of delivery.