Why are pregnant women physically inactive? A qualitative study on the beliefs and perceptions about physical activity during pregnancy

• Published in: Cadernos de saúde pública Vol. 40; no. 1; p. e00097323
• Main Authors: Gonçalves, Helen, Soares, Ana Luiza Gonçalves, Domingues, Marlos Rodrigues, Bertoldi, Andréa Damaso, Santos, Maiara Gonçalves Dos, Silveira, Mariângela Freitas da, Coll, Carolina de Vargas Nunes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz 01.01.2024; Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz
• Subjects: Brazil; Child; Communication Barriers; Exercise; Female; Health Policy & Services; Humans; Infant; Physical Activity; Pregnancy; Pregnant Women; Qualitative Research; Sedentary Behavior; Brazil; Pregnancy; Atividade Física; Barreiras de Comunicação; Embarazo; Communication Barriers; Pesquisa Qualitativa; Investigación Cualitativa; Qualitative Research; Barreras de Comunicación; Physical Activity; Actividad Física; Gravidez
• ISSN: 0102-311X; 1678-4464; 1678-4464
• DOI: 10.1590/0102-311XEN097323

This study aimed to describe the beliefs and perceptions of pregnant women and healthcare providers about physical activity during pregnancy. Using a qualitative approach, 30 pregnant women and the 14 healthcare providers caring for them were interviewed in the second trimester of pregnancy. We included women who maintained, decreased, or stopped physical activity since becoming pregnant. They were divided into low (≤ 8 years) and high schooling (> 8 years). Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted and guided by three key questions: (1) When does physical activity during pregnancy start to be considered a wrong behavior?; (2) What are the main barriers (biological or others) to physical activity?; and (3) Do the actions of healthcare providers and people close to pregnant women reinforce barriers? Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed based on recurring themes. All women changed their physical activity behavior (decreased or stopped) when they discovered their pregnancy. Fear of miscarriage, contractions, bleeding, and of causing malformations in the baby were the most reported reasons for decreasing or stopping physical activity. Participants also lacked access to consistent information and healthcare providers' support on the benefits of physical activity. Despite the current international recommendations to regular physical activity during pregnancy, uncertainty regarding its benefits remains. Interventions to promote physical activity during this period should include the training of healthcare providers so they can advise and discard ideas contrary to mother-child health benefits.