Study Links Extended Sitting During Pregnancy to Higher Complication Risks

ANBAR, Iraq — A study conducted by researchers at West Virginia University and published in the JAMA journal found that pregnant women who sit for extended periods face a higher likelihood of experiencing pregnancy complications. The research challenges the common belief that rest is always the safer option during pregnancy. The study monitored approximately 470 pregnant women for one week during their first trimester. Researchers attached electronic devices to participants' thighs to measure sitting and movement times throughout the day. According to the data, 40 percent of women who sat for 10 or more hours per day experienced pregnancy complications. In comparison, the rate was 20 percent among women who sat for seven hours or less daily. The complications documented included high blood pressure, diabetes, preeclampsia and premature birth. Bethany Barone, a researcher from the West Virginia University School of Public Health, noted that even short periods of movement may provide benefits during pregnancy.