Factors Influencing Physical Activity in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review

Lack of physical activity in pregnancy may lead to poor maternal and perinatal outcomes including gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders postpartum depression. Given these risks, identifying factors that influence is crucial planning implementing appropriate interventional programmes managing this vulnerable group. Peer reviewed articles on influencing were searched using the Pub-Med Ovid databases, from 2014 2019. The selected by two authors critically appraised Mixed Methods Assessment Tool 2018. A total 16 included. Factors positively influenced fun, higher economic status, early trimester, body weight. negatively lack knowledge, social support, multiparity, pain discomfort, ethnic minority concern for safety baby. Fun was one most reported motivators pregnancy, reason reduced knowledge. Additionally, support friends family played an important role encouraging pregnant women be active. This systematic review highlights need improve current health education which should ideally extended targeted whole community, beyond themselves better uptake acceptance.