1. Exercise Counseling in Pregnancy: Do Women Perceive Receiving the Information They Need?
- Author
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Xiyan Tan, Karson Mostert, Shiv Patel, David S. Enyart, Jennifer L. Trilk, Connor Evins, Joseph A. Ewing, Jasmine L Dennis, and Kacey Eichelberger
- Subjects
Original Researchs ,Pregnancy ,medicine.medical_specialty ,030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine ,business.industry ,Health Policy ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Medicine (miscellaneous) ,Prenatal care ,medicine.disease ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Family medicine ,medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,business ,Contraindication ,Exercise counseling - Abstract
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women exercise throughout pregnancy unless they have a condition-related contraindication. This study’s purpose was to determine if pregnant women perceive receiving exercise counseling by their providers with details of frequency, intensity, type, and time (FITT principle). Women in 2 postpartum care units of a large health care system were invited to complete a voluntary, anonymous survey regarding whether they received exercise counseling during their prenatal care. Survey results were descriptively reported, stratified by demographic variables, and analyzed using Fisher’s exact tests. Of 224 postpartum women surveyed, 130 (58.0%) perceived receiving exercise counseling during pregnancy; 119 (91.5%) did not recall receiving counseling on exercise frequency. Though 165 (73.6%) exercised before becoming pregnant, 64 (38.8%) ceased exercise during pregnancy. Eighty-eight (39.3%) received advice from other sources/non–health care professionals. Privately insured women reported receiving exercise counseling at a higher rate (70.1%) than those on Medicaid (44.8%) or uninsured (40.0%; P = .004). A disproportionate number of pregnant women perceived not receiving adequate prenatal exercise counseling or received incomplete counseling. Women at a socioeconomic disadvantage may be vulnerable. As social determinants of health, structural barriers, and socioeconomic status likely contribute, women may benefit from more targeted inclusive and equitable messaging.
- Published
- 2021