Antenatal Exercise Knowledge, Attitudes, and Recalled Practices Among Postpartum Women in Oman: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Evidence on antenatal exercise in Oman remains limited. Aim: To assess knowledge and attitudes toward antenatal exercise among postpartum women and their recalled exercise-related practices and perceived barriers during the pregnancy that had just ended. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 470 Omani women completed an electronic questionnaire in Arabic at approximately six weeks postpartum in primary healthcare maternal health clinics in North Batinah Governorate, Oman, between April and September 2024. Women were approached and gave written informed consent at a two-week postpartum visit. Knowledge and attitudes were measured at the six-week visit; pregnancy practices and barriers were reported retrospectively. Results: Adequate knowledge was observed in 29% of participants, study-defined positive attitude scores in 80%, and poor reported practice in 48%. Walking and relaxation-related activities were frequently selected from a predefined list. Mode of delivery was associated with the reported practice category (p = 0.024); causation cannot be inferred. Conclusions: Postpartum respondents showed limited knowledge and recalled low engagement with the activities measured during pregnancy. Recall bias, the restricted activity list, and the lack of activity duration or intensity limit interpretation.