Despite the known benefits of exercise in pregnancy, I am continually asked one specific question by friends and patients. Is childbirth going to be easier because I am working out? One factor that has a negative impact on the length of labor and can be modified by routine exercise in pregnancy, especially in first-time moms, is a higher maternal weight at the time of delivery1. In other words, routine exercise can limit the possibility of excessive maternal weight gain during pregnancy and potentially shorten the first stage of labor. Finally, a recent study from Spain in 2016 looked at 166 pregnant women, with half participating in an exercise program for 55 to 60 minutes, three days per week. The results of this study showed that a routine exercise program alone during pregnancy is associated with a shorter first stage of labor2. Routine physical exercise, particularly cardiovascular exercise, can have a significant impact on your ability to tolerate the labor process. Many women who maintain routine physical activity are no stranger to vigorous activity and pushing their limits, which takes both endurance and a strong mindset. Both of these qualities can be extremely beneficial during childbirth. More importantly, there is some evidence3 that routine physical activity during pregnancy may decrease the risk of antenatal and postpartum depression, which can have a significant impact on both maternal and baby health in those first few months after delivery. There is some thought that if you work out routinely, the pelvic floor muscles will become too strong and potentially affect the progress of labor and impede pushing the baby out. In addition, it has been suggested that having strong pelvic floor muscles may increase the risk of tearing during delivery. On the contrary, there is another school of thought: Having strong pelvic floor muscles helps labor and pushing. The truth is that there is no definitive answer—the data is conflicting. What we do know is that having strong pelvic floor muscles decreases the risk of urinary and fecal incontinence after childbirth, especially after having multiple babies. If you are interested in starting an exercise program or wishing to maintain one, it is always important to let your doctor know exactly what you are doing. There are some conditions in pregnancy that make working out unsafe. If you already have an established routine, please pay attention to your body and make adjustments as needed. This will be necessary as your pregnancy progresses. Finally, if you experience bleeding, fluid leakage, contractions, or just generally don’t feel good while working out, stop and let your doctor know. Remember, you are working out for two and are the gatekeeper for the both of you. Intrigued? Here’s everything you wanted to know about your pelvic floor muscles, plus some doctor-approved ideas on how to strengthen them.
