Risk factors for accidental falls during pregnancy - a systematic literature review

ÜÇÜNCÜ TRİMESTERDA AYAKKABI UYGUNLUĞU, DÜŞME KORKUSU VE FİZİKSEL AKTİVİTE ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİ

Purpose: Pregnancy is a time of intense physiologic and physical changes, especially in third trimester. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the footwear suitability, fear of falling and physical activity in third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: One hundred twenty-three pregnant women aged between 18-40 years and a gestational age of 28 weeks and above were included the study. The Footwear Assessment Score was used to assess the suitability of the footwear. The fear of falling of the participants was measured using the Falls Efficacy Scale-International, and the physical activity level was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - short form. Results: A low negative correlation (r = -0.215; p < 0.05) was found between physical activity and fear of falling, and a low positive correlation (r = 0.256; p < 0.01) was found between footwear suitability and physical activity in pregnant women. There was no statistically significant relationship (r = -0.120; p = 0.185) between footwear suitability and fear of falling. Conclusion: According to the findings of the current study, it can be concluded that a more appropriate choice of shoes as the level of physical activity increases among pregnant women, and physical activity may reduce the fear of falling during pregnancy. Future studies are needed to investigate footwear suitability during pregnancy in more detail.

The role of the pregnancy heart team in clinical practice

Significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality risk has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease in pregnancy. Several determinants, such as the increasing number of females with corrected congenital heart disease in reproductive age, a more advanced maternal age associated with cardiovascular risk factors, and a greater prevalence of preexisting comorbidities related to cardiac disorders such as cancer and COVID-19), lead to a higher incidence of cardiac complications in pregnancy in the last few decades. However, adopting a multidisciplinary strategy may influence maternal and neonatal outcomes. This review aims at assessing the role of the Pregnancy Heart Team, which should ensure careful pre-pregnancy counseling, pregnancy monitoring, and delivery planning for both congenital and other cardiac or metabolic disorders, addressing several emerging aspects in the multidisciplinary team-based approach.