Aquarobics helps ease labour pains
Reported December 18, 2008
Pregnant women are taking the plunge and doing antenatal aquarobics as new research has shown that water workouts make labour less painful.
Three-quarters of women who did aquarobics regularly during their pregnancy for the study did not need painkillers during delivery, but 65 per cent of expectant mothers who did not do waterbased exercise needed pain relief.
But a shortage of specialised antenatal aquarobics classes in Perth means that many women are missing out on water’s relaxing properties, the benefits of nonweight bearing exercise and the social interaction that are believed to be good preparation for labour.
“We’ve generally found that women had a shortened labour time,” Lynette McGowan, an instructor at Beatty Park Leisure Centre in North Perth, said.
“We haven’t had anyone who’s ended up with an emergency caesarean over the last six to eight months, which is very positive.
“It keeps fitness levels up. All the properties of water stop fluid retention. You don’t overheat. It’s just a healthy way to exercise.”
Researchers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, investigated the effects of aquarobics on 71 expectant mothers — half of them did three 50-minute sessions a week throughout their pregnancy and the other half did not.
Though the study found no significant differences in the duration or type of labour, only 27 per cent of women who did aquarobics asked for painkillers during delivery compared with 65 per cent of women who did not do the exercise.
“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,” research leader Rose Pereira said.
“In fact, the reduction in analgesia requests suggests that it can get women into better psycho-physical condition.”
Perth has few specialised antenatal aquarobics classes and pregnant women have complained of lack of choice and overcrowding.
Debbie McDermott, who runs aquarobics classes in Joondalup, said: “It’s good for relaxation. When they relax, that helps with the pain. Generally it gets them stronger and fitter which means they can cope with their labour better.”