Maternal Balance and Gait Changes During Pregnancy
Biomechanical Changes and Fall Risk
- The shift in center of gravity during pregnancy significantly impairs maternal balance and gait by increasing postural instability, reducing movement speed, and elevating fall risk, particularly in the third trimester, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 1, 2
- Increased abdominal mass shifts the center of mass anteriorly and superiorly, creating additional load on the musculoskeletal system, as reported by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 1, 2
- Altered center of mass position increases anteroposterior postural sway and reduces postural stability, as noted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 3
- Increased demand on stabilizing muscles due to weakened joint stability from pregnancy-related ligament laxity, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 1, 2
Clinical Implications for Physical Activity
- Overhead lifting should be avoided due to increased postural instability and anteroposterior sway, as recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 3
- Floor-level lifting becomes impractical after 20 weeks' gestation as abdominal protrusion extends the distance objects must be handled, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 3
- Bending at the waist >1 hour/day increases preterm labor risk nearly 3-fold and spontaneous abortion risk nearly 3-fold, as reported by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 3
- Prolonged standing or stooping exacerbates venous insufficiency and may induce fetal hypoxia, as noted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 1, 2, 4
- Regular moderate-intensity physical activity within guidelines does not increase adverse outcomes and may reduce risks of gestational diabetes, hypertension, and preterm birth in women with obesity, according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine 5