Effect of Routine Physical Activity among Pregnant Women during The Third Trimester on Pregnancy Outcomes

Background Physical activity (PA) is one of the elements affecting the healthy progression of pregnancy that preventing conditions like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, excessive weight gain, and postpartum depression; it also protects the fetus. The aim of the work The study was to evaluate how regular physical exercise throughout the third trimester of pregnancy affected the outcomes of the pregnancy. Design: This study used a quasi-experimental (case-control) research design. Setting: Sohag University Hospital's antenatal clinics served as the study's setting. Sample: 216 pregnant women in their third trimester were included in the purposive sample. Tools: Five tools were used to collect the data. Tool (I): Questionnaire for interviews; Tool (II): Tool for Knowledge Evaluation; (III): Observational check list for practice Tool (IV): Attitude assessment tool; Tool (V) Pregnancy outcomes assessment tool. Results: The study found that women's knowledge, practice, and attitude had significantly improved regarding physical activity during pregnancy at post program implementation compared to preprogram implementation. There was, also, a positive relationship and correlation between knowledge, practice, attitude, and pregnancy outcomes. Additionally, there were positive pregnancy outcomes in the study group. Conclusion: The study helped to improve knowledge, practice, and attitude of pregnant women regarding physical activity and increase positive pregnancy outcomes of study group Recommendations: Obstetric nurses should offer educational sessions, booklets about physical activity to pregnant women within antenatal visits in order to teach them how to exercise and demonstrate safe types of physical activity.