Gynecology & Obstetrics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0932
ISSN: 2161-0932
Abeer Adeeb AL Abduljabbar, Nuha Muhammed AL Abduljabbar and Sultana Fuwad algushayan and Najla hassan Al-alsheikh
King Saud University, KSA
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Gynecol Obstet
Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of physical activity during pregnancy and its relationship on selected maternal and child health outcomes. Methods: An observational quantitative cross sectional study implied all ladies in the delivery ward at king Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between April 2014 and June 2014. For data collection, the participants were interviewed, by a pre-coded questionnaire. The analyzed outcomes included: maternal outcome (gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, gestational weight gain, and mode of delivery) as well as, neonatal outcomes (preterm birth, macrosomia, intrauterine growth restriction). Results: The factors associated with the practice of physical activity during pregnancy showed inverse association with maternal age and a direct association with level of education and employment. Physical activity was found to protective against gestational diabetes, gestational weight gain as maternal complications. Moreover, physically active women during pregnancy were less likely to deliver surgically. Conclusion: In conclusion, only few of the participants reported performing physical activity during pregnancy. This behavior was more frequent among younger women with higher level of education and who are employed. Women who practiced physical activity during pregnancy had lower occurrence of maternal-child adverse outcomes yet there are few studies that have addressed the intensity, duration, and frequency of physical activity needed during pregnancy, therefore further research is needed.
Abeer Adeeb ALAbduljabbar and her colleagues is 5th year medical student, at King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA.
Email: abeer.alabduljabbar@gmail.com,