The effect of walking on maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women prone to hypertension in pregnancy

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is a common disorder leading to maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, and its prevention is essential. This study aimed to investigate the effects of walking on the maternal and neonatal outcomes of high-risk pregnant women for PIH in Rafsanjan, Iran in 2018.

This clinical trial was conducted on 72 high-risk pregnant women for PIH at comprehensive healthcare centers. Purposive sampling was performed to randomly assign the women to two groups of 36. The intervention group followed a walking program during weeks 14-34 of gestation. Data were recorded in a researcher-made checklist and analyzed in SPSS version 23 (independent t-test, Fisher's exact test, and Chi-square).

Incidence of transient hypertension and preeclampsia was significantly lower in the intervention group (P<0.05). Mean birth weight was significantly higher in the intervention group, and maternal and neonatal admission rate to the ICU was significantly lower in the intervention group (P<0.05). Mean gestational age at delivery, one- and five-minute Apgar scores, and preterm labor and its causes had no significant differences in the groups (P>0.05).

Moderate-intensity walking improved some maternal and neonatal outcomes in the high-risk pregnant women for PIH.