Date of Award
2016
Degree Type
Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review
Degree Name
Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant
Department
Physician Assistant Studies
Department Chair
John Cavenagh, MBA, PhD, PA-C
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not aerobic exercise in pregnant women prevents cesarean sections (“C-sections”).
STUDY DESIGN: Review of two English articles and one English/Portuguese article, two of which were randomized control trials (RCTs) and one was a prospective study, all published after 2011.
DATA SOURCES: Two RCTs and one prospective study found via PubMed and Cochrane Database.
OUTCOMES MEASURED: The main clinical outcome in all studies measured the incidence of C-section as compared to vaginal delivery. The outcomes were measured by method of delivery which was categorized as either vaginally or C-section.
RESULTS: In each study, aerobic exercise was found to be statistically significant in the prevention of C-sections (p
CONCLUSIONS: The results of each study show that aerobic exercise to be effective in the prevention of C-sections. However, the limitations of the articles make data extrapolation inconclusive. In order to improve future research, a larger study population and more comparable exercise programs should be implemented.
Recommended Citation
Lassen, Kait, "Does Aerobic Exercise During Pregnancy Prevent Cesarean Sections?" (2016). PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship. 276.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/pa_systematic_reviews/276
Included in
Musculoskeletal, Neural, and Ocular Physiology Commons, Reproductive and Urinary Physiology Commons