The Association of Exercise during Pregnancy with Maternal and Infant Health

INTRODUCTION: This study was aimed to examine exercise status during pregnancy and the related factors.
METHODS: Women who applied to the Gynecology and Obstetrics clinic between January-February 2017 for birth or examination were enrolled in this study. The patients, who were divided into two groups as exercised and not exercised during pregnancy, were questioned by face-to-face interview method for various parameters related to exercise.
RESULTS: A total of 171 participants were evaluated, including 127 (74.3%) pregnant women in their last trimester and 44 (25.7%) puerperant women in the postpartum period. One hundred fourteen (67.1%) of the participants reported that they exercised during pregnancy, whereas 56 (32.9%) stated that they never exercised. Of the participants who exercised during pregnancy, 28 (24.6%) were doing moderate-paced walking or equivalent exercise at least three to four times a week, while 86 (75.4%) were doing less than two times a week. It was observed that those who regularly exercised before pregnancy were more frequent to exercise during their pregnancy, and edema formation was less in those who exercised during pregnancy (OR=1.751, 95%Cl=1.220-2.514, p=0.002 and OR=2.457, 95%Cl=1.143-5.291, p=0.021, respectively).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Exercise during pregnancy seems to be associated with some physical findings of the mothers. Therefore, it may be beneficial for pregnant to receive counseling on the benefits and possible risks of exercise in family medicine.