The effect of exercise during pregnancy on health-related quality of life and depression

Exercise has different physical and psychological benefits and can help ameliorate women’s physical and psychological changes during pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the effects of exercise during pregnancy on women’s weight gain, health-related quality of life (HR-QOL), and depression, and neonates’ birth weight and type of childbirth.
One hundred women who referred to Mostafa Khomeini Hospital (Tehran) from December 2016 to November 2017 for prenatal care were included into this study and randomized into two groups: the case group (n=50) with women whom exercised for 60 minutes 3 times a week for 12 weeks and the control group (n=50) with no exercise. At baseline and after 12 weeks, both groups completed SF-36 and Edinburg questionnaires for assessing their HR-QOL and depression, respectively. The type of childbirth, neonate’s birth weight, and women’s weight after childbirth were recorded.
The case group had a significantly lower mean ±SD weight gain after 12 weeks as compared with the control group (4.9±1.50 kg vs 6.50±2.47 kg) (P=0.007), and a lower rate of cesarean section (P=0.001). The mean ±SD of neonates’ birth weight was not different between the two groups (P=0.89). The total scores of SF-36, physical and social dimensions, and general health improved in the case group, while significantly decreased in the control group (P<0.05).
Exercise during pregnancy can reduce cesarean section rate and results in less weight gain after pregnancy. It can also improve patients’ HR-QOL and decrease depression. Therefore, it is suggested to be included in the prenatal care protocol.