The Effect of Clinical Pilates Exercises and Prenatal Education on Maternal and Fetal Health.

OBJECTIVE: The mental, physical and sexual health of women as well as maternal and fetal health should be considered during the prenatal and postnatal periods. Investigating the effect of clinical Pilates exercises and prenatal education (CPE & PE) on obstetric and neonatal outcomes as well as the mental, physical, and sexual health of women was intended. METHODS: In the second trimester, mothers with singleton pregnancies who attended (n=79, study group) or did not attend (n=80, control group) CPE & PR were recruited to this prospective cohort study, and were evaluated in the prenatal and postnatal periods. Depression was assessed with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), sexual functions with Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), muscle strength with Gross Muscle Scales (GMS), and labor pain with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). In addition, the presence of low back pain (LBP) was questioned. RESULTS: No significant association of CPE & PE with obstetric outcomes such as cesarean rates, preterm birth, and neonatal outcomes such as birth weight and Apgar scores were identified. Changes in VAS scores, the incidence of perineal trauma, and episiotomy were not associated with CPE & PE. However, CPE & PE was associated with lower BDI scores, a gradual increase in the total scores of FSFI, increased GMS, and reduced LBP. CONCLUSION: CPE & PE had no adverse effects on obstetric and neonatal outcomes and was associated with improved mental, physical, sexual health scores during pregnancy and postpartum.

The comparison of the effects of clinical Pilates exercises with and without childbirth training on pregnancy and birth results.

AIMS: Childbirth training programs together with exercise during pregnancy have drawn attention in many countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects on pregnancy and delivery outcomes of clinical Pilates exercises given with or without childbirth training. METHODS: A total of 64 pregnant women were randomly separated into three subgroups as Group 1, who received childbirth training with clinical Pilates exercises (n = 21), Group 2, who received only childbirth training (n = 21) and Group 3 as a control group (n = 22). The clinical Pilates exercise training was applied 2 days a week for 8 weeks, and childbirth training was applied one day a week for 4 weeks. Demographic data, weight gain throughout the pregnancy and duration of labour were recorded. Pain intensity during labor was evaluated with a Visual Analogue Scale. Anxiety was evaluated with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Birth outcomes were recorded as gestational age at birth, birth weight and APGAR scores. RESULTS: Pre-training, the groups were homogenous in terms of demographic characteristics and general anxiety (P > .05). After the training, the Pilates group had better general anxiety values, gained less weight and felt less pain during labor than the other groups (P < .05). No difference was observed between the groups in terms of the duration of labor, gestational age, or infant birth weight (P > .05 for all). The APGAR scores of the infants of the Pilates group were better than those of the other groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The study results showed that childbirth training applied with clinical Pilates exercise had a positive effect on pregnant women and their birth outcomes.