Am J Perinatol 1988; 5(2): 94-97
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-999663
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1988 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Exercise-Induced Changes in Uterine Artery Blood Flow, as Measured by Doppler Ultrasound, in Pregnant Subjects

David H. Moore, John C. Jarrett II , Phillip J. Bendick
  • Departments of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

Eleven healthy women with singleton pregnancies between 16 and 28 weeks gestation were continuously exercised, in a graded fashion, by stationary bicycle to a predetermined target heart rate. Before and within 3 minutes after exercise, uterine artery waveforms were identified from a semirecumbent position using a 3.5 MHz continuous-wave Doppler transducer coupled to an Angioscan spectrum analyzer. The ratio of peak systolic to end-diastolic frequency (A/B ratio) was utilized to assess qualitative differences in flow before and after exercise. No statistically significant changes in A/B ratios were noted. This study suggests that nonexhaustive maternal exercise does not compromise uterine artery blood flow in healthy, low-risk pregnant subjects.

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