Sedentary lifestyle in pregnancy: Effects on the mother and the newborn

• Published in: Semergen, medicina de familia Vol. 49; no. 7; p. 102025
• Main Authors: Morales-Suárez-Varela, M, Marcos Puig, B, Peraita-Costa, I, Llopis-Morales, J, Hernandez-Segura, N, Llopis-González, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: Spain 01-10-2023
• Subjects: Pregnancy; Ejercicio; Exercise; Embarazo; Physical activity; Actividad física; Pregnant women; Embarazadas; Newborn health; Salud del recién nacido
• ISSN: 1578-8865
• DOI: 10.1016/j.semerg.2023.102025

Identify the state of sedentary lifestyle during pregnancy and the factors associated with this behavior, the possible factors of your health situation and that of the newborn.
This two-phase, cross-sectional observational study was developed at the La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital and 228 pregnant women participated. Maternal sociodemographic characteristics were obtained using structured questionnaire and health information from the electronic medical records, as well as perinatal results of the newborn. To assess sedentary lifestyle, exercise in free time and exercise during working hours were assessed, categorizing them based on intensity (sedentary lifestyle, light activity, moderate and intense activity).
In total, the prevalence of physical inactivity was 31.14%. The profile of this group has a lower level of education and unemployment (P<.05), presenting a higher prevalence of problems during childbirth, which required a caesarean section, as well as problems after birth in the newborn (P<.05).
Physical inactivity is highly prevalent among pregnant women. Due to the benefits (or non-harm) attributed to exercise during pregnancy. Further efforts should be taken to overcome the barriers to promote activities among pregnant women who are younger, less well educated, and unemployed and those with multiple children and a lower income are less likely to engage in an adequate amount of physical activity, aware of the importance of doing it, resolving doubts and allaying fears that may arise from a poor understanding of the mechanism of its benefit.