A Cross-Sectional Survey of Australian Women’s Perspectives and Experiences of Exercise During Pregnancy, Including Women that Experience Mental Illness
Authors: Jarbou Noor S. , Baskerville Kimarnie , Gabra Mariam , Mawson Tess , Newell Kelly A. , Nealon Jessica 
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of Australian women’s perspectives and experiences around exercise during pregnancy, including women that experience mental illnesses such as depression.

Method

An anonymous online survey of women, administered via Qualtrics Australia, was open for 4 weeks between November - December 2021. The survey consisted of a 45-item questionnaire collecting data on demographics (including pregnancy status), attitudes/beliefs regarding conducting exercise during pregnancy, knowledge of exercise in pregnancy guidelines, exercise in pregnancy experience and mental health experiences of responders during pregnancy. Analysis of responses were restricted to those who have experienced a pregnancy. Descriptive statistics and frequency tables were calculated for all questions. Pearson’s Chi-Squared tests were used to determine the differences in response by mental health status (p< 0.05).

Results

There were 695 eligible responses. Most responders believe that regular exercise during pregnancy is safe for mother and baby (94%), would help prevent a decline in a pregnant person’s mood (88%) and help to improve a pregnant person’s mood (92%). The majority of responders (71%) were not aware of the WHO and Australian Government Department of Health recommendations for conducting exercise during pregnancy. 68% of responders conducted exercise during all or part of their most recent pregnancy. However, there was a significant association between a reported diagnosis of a mental illness during their lifetime and participation in structured exercise during pregnancy (p=0.009), with fewer individuals with a mental illness exercising during pregnancy compared to those without (61 vs 71%). Despite the majority of respondents participating in exercise during pregnancy, more than half of responders report conducting less exercise than that recommended by current guidelines. Fifty-seven percent of responders recall being advised to exercise during their most recent pregnancy, mostly by their GP (54%), midwife (46%) and obstetrician (38%). Walking was the most advised exercise type (80%) followed by swimming (46%). However, 69% of responders report receiving no or little advice from their healthcare provider about the safety and benefits of exercise during their most recent pregnancy, but 45% of responders felt satisfied about the advice they did receive.

Conclusion

This study has shown that Australian women believe that exercise during pregnancy is safe and has benefits for mental health. However, many women report receiving little advice about this from their healthcare provider. Furthermore, women report not being aware of or meeting the WHO/National guidelines regarding exercise in pregnancy. Women do report primarily conducting low intensity exercise during pregnancy (walking, swimming, yoga). Importantly, fewer respondents with a diagnosed mental illness report exercising during pregnancy. Considering the potential benefits of exercise for mental illness, employing strategies to increase engagement with exercise during pregnancy is important. Further research to determine strategies to increase exercise in pregnant women, particularly those with a mental illness, are needed.