Abstract
Background: No specific physical activity guidelines are available for women in multiple pregnancy. Aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and experience of women regarding physical activity during their latest twin pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study including women after a twin delivery was conducted in Poland. A questionnaire was distributed in 2018 via web pages and Facebook groups designed for pregnant women. Results: 652 women filled out the questionnaire completely. Only 25% of women performed any physical exercises during twin gestation. The frequency of preterm delivery was similar in physically active and non-active participants. 35% of the respondents claimed to have gained information on proper activity from obstetricians during antenatal counselling while 11% claimed to be unable to identify the reliable sources of information. 7% of women admitted to feel discriminated by social opinion on exercising during a twin pregnancy. Conclusions: The population of women with a twin gestation is not sufficiently physically active and is often discouraged from performing exercises during gestation. Therefore, it is crucial to inform obstetricians to recommend active lifestyle during a twin gestation and to provide reliable information on physical activity to pregnant women. Further research on this topic is necessary in order for obstetric providers to counsel women on appropriate exercise with a twin pregnancy.
Highlights
Physical activity during pregnancy is an essential element of a healthy lifestyle
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) created recommendations on physical activity during gestation and encouraged all pregnant women to engage in moderate-intensity exercise consisting of 150 min per week [6]
We found that only 25% of women with a twin pregnancy performed any physical exercises during gestation compared to 52% of women with a singleton pregnancy, which we found in our previous study [17]
Summary
Physical activity during pregnancy is an essential element of a healthy lifestyle. Regular aerobic exercise during pregnancy has been shown to decrease several pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus or gestational hypertension occurrence, preterm birth, cesarean birth rate and to decrease postpartum recovery time in singleton gestation [1,2,3,4]. Physical activity in essential in prevention of depressive disorders in postpartum period [5]. Obstetricians and other health care providers should encourage their patients to continue or to commence exercising as an important component of optimal health [6]. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) created recommendations on physical activity during gestation and encouraged all pregnant women to engage in moderate-intensity exercise consisting of 150 min per week [6].
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