Abstract

This study was a cross-sectional descriptive design aimed at assessing the perceptions of prenatal exercises and its perceived outcome among pregnant woman attending antenatal clinic at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Calabar. The specific objectives were to assess the awareness of prenatal exercises, identify the types of prenatal exercises, ascertain the view of pregnant women about prenatal exercises and the perceived outcome of prenatal exercises among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. Four research questions were formulated to guide the study. Two hundred and twenty (220) respondents randomly selected from four clinic days Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in each visit for a period of two weeks were used for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages. The finding of the study revealed that: a large proportion of the respondents 180 (81.8%) respondents affirm that they heard of prenatal exercise; almost all 200 (90.9%) respondents affirm that prenatal exercise is a physical activity performed by pregnant women to improve health before delivery, majority 200 (90.9%) respondents carried out dancing and breathing form of exercise; many 170 (77.3%) respondents carried out Yoga and relaxation exercise. Also, many 100 (45.5%) respondents agreed that prenatal exercise causes preterm labour; a large proportion 200 (90.9%) respondent agreed that prenatal exercise help reduce postpartum weight retention and childhood obesity and large number 130 (59.1%) respondents affirm that prenatal exercise help in the prevention of chronic diseases and unhealthy weight gain during pregnancy. The study concludes that majority of the participants are involved in one form of exercise or the other. However, they perceived that exercise promotes the health of the mother during pregnancy with regards to prevention of chronic diseases and unhealthy weight gain during pregnancy. The recommendation from the study is that midwives should increase awareness of prenatal exercises among pregnant women during antenatal services, and pregnant mothers should be encouraged to participate in prenatal exercises.

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