Table 2.
Beliefs About Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy
| Responses | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA | A | N | D | SD | |
| n (%) | n (%) | n (%) | n (%) | n (%) | |
| Not safe for mother or fetus | 89 (8.2) | 84 (7.8) | 69 (6.4) | 456 (42.1) | 384 (35.5) |
| Reduces placental circulation | 31 (2.9) | 126 (11.6) | 203 (18.8) | 429 (39.6) | 293 (27.1) |
| Leads to abortion or miscarriage, preterm birth, intrauterine growth retardation | 49 (4.5) | 248 (22.9) | 81 (7.5) | 490 (45.3) | 214 (29.8) |
| Regular exercise during pregnancy is harmful | 39 (3.6) | 267 (24.7) | 74 (6.8) | 429 (39.7) | 273 (25.2) |
| No exercise while lying on back during pregnancy | 89 (8.2) | 728 (67.3) | 142 (13.1) | 97 (9.0) | 26 (2.4) |
| Avoid long periods of standing in one place without moving while pregnant | 459 (42.4) | 558 (51.6) | 35 (3.2) | 24 (2.2) | 6 (0.6) |
| Physical activity increases body temperature | 92 (8.5) | 606 (56.0) | 153 (14.1) | 187 (17.3) | 0 (0) |
| Physical activity increases the risk of maternal musculoskeletal injuries and diversion of maternal oxygen and nutrients to skeletal muscle, rather than to the fetus | 81 (7.5) | 279 (25.8) | 164 (15.1) | 461 (42.6) | 97 (9.0) |
| Women can continue regular exercise during pregnancy | 155 (14.3) | 791 (73.1) | 26 (2.4) | 94 (8.7) | 16 (1.5) |
| Women who have never exercised can begin an exercise program during pregnancy | 176 (16.3) | 700 (64.7) | 95 (8.8) | 88 (8.1) | 23 (2.1) |
| Improves a woman’s labor and delivery | 214 (19.8) | 793 (73.3) | 32 (3.0) | 38 (3.5) | 5 (0.4) |
| Improves the health of the baby | 215 (19.9) | 792 (73.2) | 44 (4.1) | 26 (2.4) | 5 (0.4) |
| Feel more energetic | 216 (20.0) | 747 (69.0) | 36 (3.3) | 69 (6.4) | 14 (1.3) |
| A pregnant woman can continue to exercise even if she becomes tired | 45 (4.2) | 180 (16.6) | 28 (2.6) | 455 (42.0) | 374 (34.6) |
| During pregnancy, regular exercise at least three times per week is better than activity done irregularly or less often | 204 (18.8) | 716 (66.2) | 81 (7.5) | 64 (5.9) | 17 (1.6) |
| Pregnancy is a time to rest | 210 (19.4) | 401 (37.1) | 13 (1.2) | 317 (29.3) | 141 (13.0) |
Abbreviations: SA, strongly agree; A, agree; N, neutral; D, disagree; SD, strongly disagree.