Page 25 - Petelin, Ana, Nejc Šarabon, Boštjan Žvanut, eds. 2017. Zdravje delovno aktivne populacije ▪︎ Health of the Working-Age Population. Proceedings. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 25
trospective and experiential perception
of physical activity during pregnancy
on childbirth and postpartum period
Marjana Božič1, Ksenija Kragelj2, Mirko Prosen1
1 University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing,
Polje 42, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
2 Community Health Centre Tolmin, Prešernova 6/a, 5220 Tolmin, Slovenia
bozic.marjanca@gmail.com; kkragelj@gmail.com; mirko.prosen@fvz.upr.si
Abstract
Introduction: The purpose of the research was to examine the beliefs and
experiences of women in the postpartum period on how the physical
activity during pregnancy affects the psychological and physical well-
being, the outcome of childbirth and the recovery in postpartum period.
Methods: The qualitative methodology was used. The purposive sample
of 11 women who have given birth in the last year was applied. Their
mean age was 27.6 years (s = 4.37); most of them (n = 5) finished upper
secondary education; most of them (n = 7) were living in rural areas;
more than half of the interviewees were primiparous women (n = 8).
Data were collected using a semi-structured interview in January 2017.
The data gathered were analyzed with the method of content analysis.
Results: The analysis yield three themes, namely (1) the factors that
affect the implementation, opportunities, motivation and awareness
about the importance of physical activity during pregnancy, (2) the
characteristics of performing physical activity in the postpartum period,
(3) the implementation of pelvic floor muscle exercise during pregnancy
and after childbirth. Discussion and conclusions: The results indicate
that women are very aware about the importance of physical activity
during pregnancy and its positive impact on childbirth, postpartum
period, and psychological and physical well-being. The interviewees
were the opinion that physical activity helped to facilitate childbirth and
recovery after childbirth. The time taken by the individuals dedicated to
physical activity differed between the interviewees. Most women during
pregnancy were engaged in physical activity individually. They usually
choose walking and swimming.
Key words: physical exercise, childbirth outcomes, pelvic floor muscle
exercises, qualitative methodology
doi: https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-7023-32-9.23-29
of physical activity during pregnancy
on childbirth and postpartum period
Marjana Božič1, Ksenija Kragelj2, Mirko Prosen1
1 University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing,
Polje 42, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
2 Community Health Centre Tolmin, Prešernova 6/a, 5220 Tolmin, Slovenia
bozic.marjanca@gmail.com; kkragelj@gmail.com; mirko.prosen@fvz.upr.si
Abstract
Introduction: The purpose of the research was to examine the beliefs and
experiences of women in the postpartum period on how the physical
activity during pregnancy affects the psychological and physical well-
being, the outcome of childbirth and the recovery in postpartum period.
Methods: The qualitative methodology was used. The purposive sample
of 11 women who have given birth in the last year was applied. Their
mean age was 27.6 years (s = 4.37); most of them (n = 5) finished upper
secondary education; most of them (n = 7) were living in rural areas;
more than half of the interviewees were primiparous women (n = 8).
Data were collected using a semi-structured interview in January 2017.
The data gathered were analyzed with the method of content analysis.
Results: The analysis yield three themes, namely (1) the factors that
affect the implementation, opportunities, motivation and awareness
about the importance of physical activity during pregnancy, (2) the
characteristics of performing physical activity in the postpartum period,
(3) the implementation of pelvic floor muscle exercise during pregnancy
and after childbirth. Discussion and conclusions: The results indicate
that women are very aware about the importance of physical activity
during pregnancy and its positive impact on childbirth, postpartum
period, and psychological and physical well-being. The interviewees
were the opinion that physical activity helped to facilitate childbirth and
recovery after childbirth. The time taken by the individuals dedicated to
physical activity differed between the interviewees. Most women during
pregnancy were engaged in physical activity individually. They usually
choose walking and swimming.
Key words: physical exercise, childbirth outcomes, pelvic floor muscle
exercises, qualitative methodology
doi: https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-7023-32-9.23-29
