Evaluation of Pregnant Women’s Barriers to Physical Exercise During Pregnancy at Maternity Hospitals

Abstract

Background: There are major health benefits of physical exercise during pregnancy for the mother and newborn. On the other hand, physical inactivity during pregnancy is varied around the world, but it is more common during the third trimester of pregnancy. A positive attitude toward antenatal exercise can reduce physical inactivity.Objectives: To identify the barriers that prevent pregnant women from doing physical exercise. To find out the association between the barriers and pregnant women’s characteristics.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to assess pregnant women’s barriers to physical exercise during pregnancy. Non probability (purposive sample) was used to collect the data from (200) pregnant women. The questionnaire consisted of ten questions for barriers and ten questions for practices.Results: The higher percentage of women’s age was (20-29) years; they graduated from primary school. More than one-third of them have two to three living children. Most of them stated a lack of information or training on physical exercise during pregnancy is the most common barrier, and only (37%) pregnant women practice antenatal exercise.Conclusion: The perceived barriers to physical exercise during pregnancy are a lack of information or training, a lack of family support, a lack of time, and the fear that it may be harmful to the fetus. Pregnant women need encouragement to perform prenatal exercise and facilitate the overcoming barriers.