How exercising while pregnant can cut labour time by an hour

EXERCISE during pregnancy can cut labour times by almost an hour, scientists say.

Women can speed up childbirth by exercising just three times a week, a study of more than 500 mothers found.

Those who did one-hour classes involving aerobic dance and pelvic floor exercises gave birth within seven and a half hours, compared to eight hours and 27 minutes for those who did not exercise.

Experts believe labour is easier for those who keep fit – stronger muscles help to push and staying trim can result in smaller babies, which are less difficult to deliver. Lead author Dr Ruben Barakat, of the Technical University of Madrid, said: ‘The traditional advice for the pregnant population was repose, meaning no movement, which is a big mistake.’

Experts nevertheless say extra care should be taken when exercising during pregnancy. The study was reported in New Scientist magazine and published in the European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Reproductive Biology.