Water aerobics in pregnancy 'eases childbirth'

New research suggests that women who practice regular water aerobics during pregnancy could have a less painful delivery when they come to give birth. The study, published in the journal Reproductive Health, examined a group of 71 expectant mothers. Half of these women were allocated to attend three 50-minute sessions of water aerobics a week during their pregnancy, while the others did not take part in the activity. The researchers found that only 27 per cent of the women in the water aerobics group requested analgesia (pain relief) during childbirth, compared with 65 per cent in the control group.

No significant differences in length of labour or type of delivery between the two groups were noted, while newborn results for average birth weight were also similar.

Water aerobics was not found to have any negative impact on the cardiovascular health of the women who took the classes.

Dr Rosa Pereira, lead researcher from the University of Campinas in Brazil, said: "We've shown that the regular practice of moderate water aerobics during pregnancy is not detrimental to the health of the mother or the child.

"In fact, the reduction in analgesia requests suggests that it can get women into better psycho-physical condition. Therefore, this kind of exercise could be recommended to mothers willing to practice any physical activity during pregnancy."