Effect of water-breathing training on uteroplacental blood flow

We studied the effect of water-breathing training for pregnant women in the state of uteroplacental blood flow. We studied 24 pregnant women (26 y.o. in average, gestational age of 20-26 weeks), who were diagnosed with signs of utero-placental blood flow. The control group consisted of 12 women of similar age and gestational age with no health problems. The state of the utero-placental blood flow was determined on the equipment Philips HD 11 XE with modes of two-dimensional scanning, color Doppler and pulsed Doppler ultrasound scanning, working in triplex real time regime. For the assessment of blood flow using linear indicators: resistance index, pulsation index and systolic-diastolic ratio. The systolic-diastolic ratio is the ratio of maximum systolic to final diastolic blood flow velocity. The pulsation index is the ratio of the difference between the maximum systolic and final diastolic velocity to the mean velocity of blood flow. The resistance index is the ratio of the difference between the maximum systolic and final diastolic velocity to the maximum systolic velocity of blood flow. The experimental group showed significantly higher values of all the indices studied in comparison with the control one. Doing a complex of breathing exercises and aqua-gymnastics gave a decrease of all indexes in the experimental group. According to reference materials, high values of the indices are characterized by increased resistance to blood flow. Under the influence of the water-breathing training hemodynamics improves. Still, poor circulation in foetus-placental link is less susceptible to positive dynamics than in the utero-placental link. However, normalization of blood flow in the umbilical artery suggests a possible functional character changes of foetus-placental hemodynamics. These results lead to the following conclusions: 1. Measured physical activity is a significant factor in the normalization of pregnancy and childbirth. The combination of exercises in water and learning to breathe correctly is one of the most promising forms of physical activity during pregnancy. 2. Combined use of breathing exercises and aqua-gymnastics by pregnant women contributes to the normalization of the utero-placental blood flow, which is manifested in the reduction of resistance and pulsation indices and systolic-diastolic ratio. To a large extent the effect is shown by the uterine arteries.

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