COMPARISON OF NORMAL VAGINAL DELIVERY WITH OR WITHOUT ANTENATAL EXERCISE IN PRIMIGRAVIDA PRESENTING IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the frequency of normal vaginal delivery with or without structured antenatal exercise in primigravida presenting in a tertiary care hospital.

Study design: Comparative observational study.

Place and Duration of the study: Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar from August-2024 to March-2025.

Methodology: A total of 250 primigravida women were included. They were divided into Group-E (structured antenatal exercise group) and Group-NE (no structured antenatal exercise group). These were women were followed up till the delivery of baby based on antenatal visit schedule proposed by National Health Services UK and frequency of normal vaginal delivery was documented and compared between groups. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.

Results: In this study, 250 primigravida women were included divided into two groups. Median age was 24.50 (5.00) years. Median pre-pregnancy BMI was 21.10 (2.00) kg/m2. Median week of gestation was 8.00 (1.00) weeks. Overall frequency of normal vaginal delivery in present study was 168 (67.20%) while remaining 82 (32.80%) women had cesarean section. In Group-E (n = 125), normal vaginal delivery occurred in 92 (73.60%) women while in Group-NE (n = 125), it occurred in 76 (60.80%) women, (p = 0.031).

Conclusion: Structured antenatal exercise can significantly increase the chances of normal vaginal delivery.