Pregnant women's experience of exercise during pregnancy

Abstract

This study explored the pregnant women's experience of exercise during pregnancy. The objectives of the study were to establishing whether Maltese pregnant women exercise during pregnancy, determine in which way exercise is performed, find out if exercise helps the pregnant women to increase their body image satisfaction and determine what information is given to pregnant women on exercising during pregnancy. Literature on exercising during pregnancy is vast; however, little literature was found on the actual behavior and believes of pregnant women on exercising during pregnancy. In this descriptive small scale survey, a self-administered semi structured questionnaire was built on the literature review to fulfill the study's aim. Thirty pregnant women attending Antenatal Clinic in a local hospital were included in the study. A 100% response rate was obtained. Results revealed the experience of the participants of exercise during pregnancy. The majority exercised during pregnancy and performed exercises in congruence with the recommendations of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) and the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP). However, pregnant women lack information on the precautions needed while exercising during pregnancy. This was noted as well when analyzing data about pelvic floor exercises. Moreover, it was found out that during pregnancy women were less satisfied with their body image then before pregnancy even though they exercised during their pregnancy. These results were discussed and compared to the literature in order to focus on the objectives of the study. Limitations exists which makes the results limited to this group of pregnant women. Recommendations include the need to improve the quality and quantity of information giving about exercising during pregnancy and to carry out an I explorative experimental study on the experience of Maltese pregnant women on exercise during pregnancy.