STUDENT MIDWIVES: SUPPORTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY UPTAKE IN PREGNANCY

Abstract

For healthy pregnant women, exercise, defined as physical activity (PA), is a safe and effective way of reducing adverse health risks. The lack of exercise reported by women in pregnancy is currently a significant concern, particularly in review of present maternal obesity statistics and associated risk factors. For instance, in pregnancy, obesity is recognised within 21.3% of antenatal clients.1 Adding to this, fewer than half of pregnant women (47.3%) have a normal ranged BMI.1 Urgent action is required, yet despite the well documented benefits, still 60 to 80% of pregnant women do not participate in PA.2,3,4 This is inclusive of women that are both overweight and classed as obese.2 From a health professional stance, there is an element of lack of professional education around the topic of PA in pregnancy. This article reviews the current obstacles and potential enablers, for midwives and student midwives. It critically considers how women and pregnant people can be effectively supported with PA throughout their pregnancy and, more specifically, by our future midwives.