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Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Sports Science
• Perinatal Health

Background:

• Moderate exercise during pregnancy offers significant benefits for maternal and fetal well-being.
• Physical activity is linked to reduced rates of cesarean and instrumental deliveries, promoting physiological birth.
• Exercise helps prevent excessive gestational weight gain and lowers the risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a moderate aquatic exercise program, the Water Study Exercise Pregnant (SWEP) method, on perinatal outcomes.
• To determine if the SWEP method contributes to more favorable results for both mothers and newborns.

Main Methods:

• A randomized clinical trial involving 364 pregnant women in Granada, Spain.
• Participants were divided into an intervention group (SWEP program) and a control group.
• The SWEP program consisted of 60-minute aquatic sessions three times weekly from 20 to 37 weeks of gestation.

Main Results:

• The study measured various maternal, fetal, and peripartum variables, including weight, blood pressure, Apgar scores, delivery type, and breastfeeding duration.
• Specific focus on maternal health indicators like BMI, O’Sullivan test results, postpartum depression, and self-rated health.
• Fetal outcomes assessed included weight, Apgar scores, head circumference, and gestational age at birth.

Conclusions:

• The aquatic moderate physical activity program (SWEP method) is designed to enhance the measured maternal and fetal health variables.
• The study aims to demonstrate the positive impact of this specific aquatic exercise intervention on perinatal health.