Impact of maternal physical activity on fetal breathing and body movement--A review

Dafna Sussman1, Stephen J Lye2, Greg D Wells3

  • 1Physiology and Experimental Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada.

Early Human Development
|January 27, 2016
PubMed

Fetal movements, which include body and breathing movement, are important indicators of fetal well-being and nervous system development. These have been shown to be affected by intrauterine conditions. While maternal physical activity does induce a change in intrauterine conditions and physiology, its impact on fetal movements is still unclear. This paper will provide a brief review of the literature and outline the current knowledge with regards to the effects of maternal exercise on fetal body and breathing movements.

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