Response of Pulmonary Functions to Deep Breathing Exercise in Twin Pregnancy

Physiological changes during pregnancy impose numerous changes on the respiratory system that can affect the health of both mother and foetus. Regarding the importance of the normal breathing in the health of mother and foetus.

Many investigators have studied pulmonary function tests during normal pregnancy, most of them found a significant decrease in pulmonary function test parameters during all pregnancy trimesters. Others showed that the PFTs parameters are normal in the first trimester but there was significant decrease in them in the second and third trimesters, or in the third trimester only.

Study Design: Randomized control trial Sixty twin pregnant women during the third trimester i (27th weeks gestation),aged 25 to 35 years old and body mass index was ≥ 30 kg/m², will participate in this study. They will be assigned into two equal groups; control group and study group ( study group only will make deep breathing exercise inform of diaphragmatic and costal breathing 3times a day for 15 repetitions each exercise for 9 weeks, pulmonary function test will be applied for both groups at 27th week gestation and at 36th weeks gestation.

Inclusion criteria

• All pregnant women will be in 27th week gestation
• They will be recruited from Soaad kafafy university hospital
• Their age between 25-35 years old
• Their BMI ≥30Kg/m2

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant women with any pulmonary disorders before pregnancy
• Women suffering from any physical or mental disorders.
• Pregnant women with gestational diabetes
• Pregnant women with gestational hypertension
• Pregnant women with asthma