Leisure time physical activity among pregnant women and its associations with maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes

• Published in: Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare
• Main Authors: Lindqvist, Maria, Lindkvist, Marie, Eurenius, Eva, Persson, Margareta, Ivarsson, Anneli, Mogren, Ingrid
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Umeå universitet, Obstetrik och gynekologi 2016
• Subjects: Cross-sectional study; physical activity; pregnancy outcomes; body mass index; education; health promotion; Obstetrics; Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine; Reproduktionsmedicin och gynekologi; Nursing; Omvårdnad; Northern Sweden
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-119563; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2016.03.006

Background Physical activity during pregnancy is generally considered safe and beneficial for both the pregnant woman and her fetus. The overall aim was to investigate pregnant women's pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy physical activity and its associations with maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes. Methods This cross-sectional study combined data from the Maternal Health Care Register in Västerbotten (MHCR-VB) and the Salut Programme Register (Salut-R). Data were collected from 3,868 pregnant women living in northern Sweden between 2011 and 2012. Results Almost half of the participants (47.1%) achieved the recommended level of physical activity. Compared to the women who did not achieve the recommended level of exercise, these women had lower BMI, very good or good self-rated health, and a higher educational level. No significant associations could be established between physical activity levels and GDM, birth weight, or mode of delivery. Conclusions Positively, a considerably high proportion of Swedish pregnant women achieved the recommended level of physical activity. Factors associated with recommended physical activity level were BMI ≤30 kg/m2, very good or good self-rated health, and higher educational level. Our findings emphasize the need for health care professionals to early detect and promote fertile and pregnant women towards health-enhancing physical activity, especially those with low levels of physical activity and overweight/obesity, to improve overall health in this population.