Physical Activity in Pregnancy: Beliefs, Benefits, and Information-Seeking Practices of Pregnant Women in South Africa

Figures & data

Table 1 Sociodemographic, Obstetric, and Lifestyle Characteristics of Participants

	n (%)
Age (years)
<19	118 (10.9)
19–34	812 (75.1)
>34	152 (14.0)
Residence
Rural	118 (10.9)
Semiurban	441 (40.8)
Urban	523 (48.3)
Ethnicity
Black	935 (86.4)
Colored	147 (13.6)
Marital status
Married	236 (21.8)
Never married	717 (66.3)
Cohabiting	129 (11.9)
Education
Primary	84 (7.8)
Secondary	803 (74.2)
Tertiary	195 (18.0)
Employment
Unemployed	733 (67.7)
Employed	349 (32.3)
Religion
Christian	964 (89.1)
Other	118 (10.9)
Family support
Adequate	837 (77.4)
Moderate	223 (20.6)
None	22 (2.0)
Parity
Nulliparous	517 (47.8)
Primiparous	322 (29.8)
Multiparous	243 (22.4)
Delivery mode
Vaginal	457 (42.2)
Cesarean section	87 (8.1)
Both	538 (49.7)
Antepartum hemorrhage
Yes	69 (6.4)
No	1013 (93.6)
Perceived health
Very good	440 (40.7)
Good	631 (58.3)
Bad	11 (1.0)
Smoking status
Yes	90 (8.3)
No	992 (91.7)
Alcohol use
Yes	147 (13.6)
No	935 (86.4)
Pregravid body-mass index (kg/m^2)
Underweight (<18.5)	22 (2.0)
Normal weight (18.5–24.9)	917 (84.8)
Overweight (25.0–29.9)	143 (13.2)
Planned pregnancy
Yes	351 (32.4)
No	731 (67.6)
Physical activity advice
Yes	382 (35.3)
No	700 (64.7)
Physical activity before pregnancy
Yes	378 (34.9)
No	704 (65.1)
Physical activity timing
First trimester	188 (17.4)
Second trimester	114 (10.5)
Third trimester	27 (2.5)
Never	753 (69.6)

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.

Figure 1 Perceived benefits of physical activity during pregnancy.

Figure 2 Sources of information on physical activity.