Fitness for two

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a program about fitness before and during pregnancy. Presently, in Malta these programs are incorporated in ante-natal classes. Results obtained from a questionnaire, conducted with 105 pregnant women attending ante-natal classes, showed that exercise patterns improved during pregnancy when women attend these classes. However, since most women are already in their third trimester when they attend, the benefits of their improved exercise patterns hardly had any effect on the discomforts of pregnancy. It was also found that women with extra pregravid weight complained of more discomforts. These results confirm results obtained from research carried out in Europe and the United States, which suggest that ideally women should be educated about exercise and pregnancy at school. In this way, even those who do not attend ante-natal classes, will receive this education in good time.