Physical Activity and Exercise among Pregnant Women : The Role of Nurses in Prenatal Care
Keywords:
physical activity, exercise, pregnant women, nurses’ role, prenatal care to promote health during pregnancyAbstract
Physical activity and exercise during pregnancy provide numerous benefits for both pregnant women and their fetuses. Despite these advantages, most pregnant women tend to reduce their physical activity and exercise less during their pregnancy. As nurse-midwives must provide quality prenatal care, they play a vital role in promoting physical activity and exercise among pregnant women. This article aims to describe the principles of physical activity and exercise for pregnant women, the benefits of exercise during pregnancy, practical guidelines for exercise among pregnant women, factors related to physical activity and exercise in pregnant women, and the role of nurse-midwives in promoting physical activity and exercise among pregnant women.
The principles of physical activity and exercise for pregnant women should consider frequency, intensity, duration, and type of exercise. The benefits of exercise include reducing the risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension, as well as improving Apgar scores in newborns. Nurse-midwives should be aware of the factors related to physical activity and exercise in pregnant women, including physical factors, environmental or lifestyle factors, and psychosocial factors. The role of nurse-midwives includes providing motivational counseling, designing health promotion programs, and integrating behavior change theories with other relevant concepts to encourage exercise. Additionally, strategies should integrate health technology and promote physical activity and exercise throughout pregnancy and postpartum period. Nurse-midwives can use the knowledge from this article as a guideline to promote exercise during pregnancy, helping to minimize adverse pregnancy outcomes and optimize the quality of prenatal care.
References
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