Attitude Towards Physical Activities In A Group Of Pregnant Women

Moderate and systematic physical activity during pregnancy is not only safe, but it also brings numerous health benefits, such as metabolic acceleration, lower risk of hypertension in preg-nancy, prevention of swelling due to water retention within the body, reduction of premature birth, it also shortens and facilitates the childbirth and lower the risk of postpartum compli-cations improves well-being and accelerates return to original physical condition after the child is born. Rather than regular exercises, however, it is a physical inactivity that brings risks. Some women are aware of this and they keep various physical activities during the pregnancy, on the other hand there exists a group of pregnant women who are afraid of doing exercises at all. This study attempts to define what are suitable activities during pregnancy, and find the reasons for pregnant women to perform and also not to perform physical activ-ities. Survey was carried out in a group of pregnant women, the information concerning their attitude towards physical activities have been obtained by a questionnaire method. Question-naires were anonymous and were submitted by 107 pregnant women. Results revealed that 63.6% of women spent their leisure time during pregnancy in an active way. Most of them reported that they are suficiently informed; they mainly used the Internet to seek information. Pregnant women typically perform their pastime physical activity at home, alone (usually with DVD) or outdoor – walking alone or with a dog, which is even more beneficial, since the dog gives a brisk pace of the walk. Concerning the frequency of physical activity, most women stated the frequency of 2 – 3 times a week. Women, who do not perform any physical activity at all, usually refer to lack of time and energy, frequent nausea, back aches and other health problems. Some women feel like doing an activity, but to perform it, they would need a stim-ulus and/or more information on suitable activities for pregnant women. Some women also pointed to lack of information concerning proper physical activities during pregnancy, hence they are afraid that choosing the wrong type or intensity of exercise they might injure either themselves or their unborn child.