A standardised individual unsupervised water exercise intervention for healthy pregnant women. A qualitative feasibility study.

Mette G Backhausen, Malene Katballe, Helena Hansson, Ann Tabor, Peter Damm, Hanne K Hegaard

Journal: Sexual & reproductive healthcare : official journal of the Swedish Association of Midwives 2015;5(4):176-81

PMID: 25433827

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Low back pain during pregnancy is common and associated with sick leave. Studies suggest that exercise may reduce low back pain during pregnancy. Before carrying out a randomised controlled trail with individual water exercise as intervention a qualitative feasibility study was done.

OBJECTIVE

To explore women's views and experiences of the acceptability and benefits of and possible barriers to the standardised individual unsupervised water exercise intervention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eleven women were interviewed after participating in a water exercise intervention. Content analysis was used.

RESULTS

Four main categories emerged: motivation to participate, attitudes towards the exercise programme, perception of benefits, and acceptability of supportive components. The women had a desire to stay physically active during pregnancy and found water exercise a suitable, type of exercise to perform during pregnancy. The intervention was experienced to have benefits on both their physical health and their mental well-being. Crowded swimming pools were perceived as the greatest barrier.

CONCLUSION

It is feasible to perform a RCT using the described intervention. The intervention was accepted by the participants because it supported their desire to be physically active during pregnancy. The main barrier was crowded swimming pools and this issue must be addressed in a future RCT.

Address: Department of Obstetrics, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Roskilde University Hospital, Køgevej, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark. Electronic address: [email protected].; Department of Obstetrics, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.; Center of Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; The Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, Copenhagen, Denmark.; The Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, Copenhagen, Denmark; Center for Pregnant Women with Diabetes, Department of Obstetrics, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.; Department of Obstetrics, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; The Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, Copenhagen, Denmark.

DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2014.09.005

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MeSH Terms: Adult, Attitude to Health, Exercise, Exercise Therapy, Feasibility Studies, Female, Health, Humans, Low Back Pain, Mental Health, Motivation, Patient Satisfaction, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Pregnant People, Swimming Pools, Water