Pulmonary responses to exercise in pregnancy

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1986 Feb;154(2):378-83. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(86)90675-7.

Abstract

The pulmonary responses of 88 pregnant women were compared to those of 39 nonpregnant control subjects during different exercise intensities. At rest the pregnant women had higher tidal volumes, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and respiratory exchange ratio. With increased work loads the pregnant volunteers have consistently lagged behind the nonpregnant control subjects for every parameter, which indicates a decrease in pulmonary reserve and inability to exercise anaerobically.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fetal Heart / physiology
  • Humans
  • Lung / physiology*
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Physical Exertion*
  • Pregnancy*
  • Pulmonary Gas Exchange
  • Respiration
  • Tidal Volume