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Maternal Exercise as a Screening Test for Uteroplacental Insufficiency

From the Departments of Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California and US Naval Hospital, San Diego, California

Abstract

The majority of distressed fetuses and infants discovered during labor and delivery occur in seemingly normal pregnancies. Identification of these infants prior to labor was attempted by screening mothers for uteroplacental insufficiency with an exercise test at 35 to 37 weeks of gestation. In addition, the relation between maternal physical fitness and uteroplacental insufficiency was evaluated. Fetal heart rate was measured prior to and following maternal exercise. Five fetuses of 54 women tested had "positive" tests, and 4 of them subsequently developed fetal distress during labor and delivery. Seven additional infants developed fetal distress; G of these, however, had compromised umbilical circulations. Physical fitness was un related to uteroplacental insufficiency in the subjects tested. It is suggested that women with "positive" exercise tests be monitored carefully during labor and delivery and perhaps advised to avoid strenuous activity in the interim.