1. LOWERING THE RISKS FOR
PREECLAMPSIA
Exercising through pregnancy

2. PREECLAMPSIA
Approximately 1/4 of all maternal deaths
20 % of all pre-term births
Increases risk of developing cardiovascular disease
Cause is not fully known

3. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Placenta
Endothelial dysfunction
Hypertension
Proteinuria

4. RISK FACTORS
Genetic Factors
Obesity
Diabetes
Hypertension
Nulliparous Women
Sedentary Lifestyle

5. EXERCISE = LOWER RISK?
Studies show a 35% reduction in risk in women who
exercise
Many pregnant women do not engage in exercise
24% of pregnant women are obese
Obesity triples the risk of preeclampsia

6. CREATED EQUAL?
Obesity and inactivity are significant risk factors
Vigorous exercise not as beneficial for obese women
What exercise can safely reduce the risk of
preeclampsia in obese women?

7. THE STUDY
WALKING VS. STRETCHING

8. PARTICIPANTS
Healthy pregnant women who had preeclampsia in a
previous pregnancy
Pregnant women who had lower than average
cardiovascular fitness levels
Sedentary lifestyle

9. THE PROGRAM
Five days a week
Walkers walked at
moderate intensity
Stretchers followed a
video program

10. RESULTS
Walkers: Walked 2-3 times/week throughout
pregnancy
Stretchers 3-4 times/week
16% of walkers developed preeclampsia
5% of stretchers

11. 22% preterm births in walking group
11% in stretching
More than twice as many preterm births among
walkers

12. WHY STRETCHING?
Sympathetic activity is
increased throughout
pregnancy
Preeclampsia develops
when vasodilation fails
Prenatal stretching
exercise may increase
vagal tone and
prevent/inhibit
preeclampsia

13. FOR OUR PATIENTS
Prenatal stretching
exercise lowers risk of
preeclampsia
Promotes health
Easily adhered to by
pregnant women in all
trimesters