Abstract
Background Physical exercise during pregnancy is recommended due to its numerous benefits. However, its practice remains uncommon, highlighting the importance of advice aligned with guidelines from health professionals.
Objective: To evaluate physical exercise (PE) habits among pregnant women at a tertiary hospital.
Methods: Pregnant women attending a tertiary hospital between August 2022 and May 2023 were analyzed using confidential questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests for categorical variables.
Results: Among 200 included participants, 23.0% were in the first trimester, 22.0% in the second, and 55.0% in the third. The median age was 32 years (18-45 years), and 35.5% were overweight or obese. Most participants believed PE benefits pregnancy, labor, and maternal-baby health. However, only 52.0% practiced or had practiced PE during pregnancy. Compared to pre-pregnancy, fewer women exercised in 30-minute sessions during pregnancy (p=0.002), with a notable shift to walking (11.5% vs. 22.9%, p<0.001). Barriers to PE included lack of time (41.7%), pain (36.5%), and disliking PE (30.2%). Nearly half (49.5%) modified their exercise habits, primarily in the first trimester (66.7%). While 71.1% received advice to perform PE, 11.9% were advised to bed rest. Conclusions: Despite broad awareness of its benefits, PE during pregnancy remains below recommended levels. Many women significantly adjusted their exercise habits due to physical discomfort, emotional changes, and medical advice. These findings emphasize the importance of personalized guidance to promote safe and consistent physical activity throughout pregnancy.
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