Promoting Physical Activity During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

Journal Article · 08 June 2023 · Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13513· OSTI ID:2425775

Polster, Malorie ^[1]; Olscamp, Kate ^[1]; Barnett, Elizabeth Y. ^[2]; Oziel, Rachel ^[2]; Fisher, Dena Gregory ^[2]; Dawson, Jaime Murphy ^[2]; Bevington, Frances ^[1]

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1. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, US Department of Health and Human Services Rockville Maryland
2. Communicate Health Rockville Maryland

Introduction

Physical activity is important for improving and maintaining overall health across the life span, including during and after pregnancy. Achieving recommended levels of physical activity can be challenging during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The US Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion sought to promote physical activity during and after pregnancy through the development of health education materials for theMove Your Waycampaign. Research was conducted with pregnant and postpartum people to learn what types of messages and materials would encourage physical activity in these populations.

Methods

Participants were recruited from 3 regions of the United States to participate in 90‐minute virtual focus groups. Eligible participants were aged 18 years or older and either pregnant or 6 weeks to 1 year postpartum. Participants were asked questions about their beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions about physical activity and prompted to provide feedback on health promotion messages and images. Sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for key themes.

Results

Twenty‐four focus groups were conducted with 48 pregnant participants and 52 postpartum participants. Sixteen sessions were conducted in English and 8 were conducted in Spanish. Most participants had questions about how much physical activity is recommended, and many cited their health care provider as a trusted source of information. Participants responded positively to materials that acknowledged the uniqueness of each pregnant or postpartum experience, referenced gradually increasing physical activity levels, highlighted the benefits of physical activity, focused on safety, addressed common barriers, and displayed realistic representations of physical activity.

Discussion

There is an opportunity to improve messaging about physical activity during and after pregnancy. To better promote physical activity, perinatal health care providers and other health professionals can share information about recommended amounts of physical activity, communicate the benefits, and promote realistic and achievable physical activity messages that address common barriers in these populations.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: SC0014664
• OSTI ID: 2425775
• Journal Information: Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, Journal Name: Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 68; ISSN 1526-9523
• Publisher: Wiley
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

Nursing