CLINICAL STUDIES
Physical Activity and Postpartum Well-Being

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.1999.tb01963.xGet rights and content

Abstract

Objective

: To describe reported patterns of postpartum physical activity and to identify benefits or risks associated with postpartum physical activity at 6 weeks postpartum.

Design

Secondary analysis of longitudinal data collected prenatally and postpartum in a study of obstetric outcomes at a midwestern tertiary-care center and its ambulatory satellite and hospital clinics.

Participants

One thousand three women completed a questionnaire at the ό-week postpartum clinic visit. Mean age was 29.7 years, and mean education level was 15.3 years.

Variables of Interest

Participation in vigorous exercise, change in postpartum activity level, postpartum weight retention, infant feeding method, maternal postpartum adaptation, and participation in activities for fun.

Results

Nearly 35% reported doing vigorous exercise with a modal frequency of three times per week. More active women had retained significantly less weight (8.6 lb [3.9 kg]) than their less active counterparts (11.3 lb [5.1 kg]). Vigorous exercisers demonstrated a consistent pattern of better scores on measures of postpartum adaptation and were more likely than nonexercisers to participate in fun activities, such as socializing, hobbies, and entertainment. Breastfeeding was not adversely affected by vigorous exercise.

Conclusions

These exploratory results indicate that physical and psychologic benefits may accrue to postpartum women who are able to exercise vigorously and avoid decreasing their usual level of activity. A prospective randomized test of this relationship is warranted. Although positive outcomes of physical activity have been demonstrated in the population at large, exercise has rarely been an element in postpartum care plans. Nurses who care for women after childbirth should assess women’s exercise goals and support them in their desired activities.

Section snippets

Related Literature

The National Institutes of Health (1995) consensus statement on physical activity and cardiovascular health and the report of the U.S. surgeon general on physical activity and health (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 1996) make a persuasive evidence-based case for the contribution of physical activity to overall health and well-being. Higher levels of physical activity are associated with decreased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, noninsulin dependent

Methods

A secondary analysis was conducted of longitudinal data collected prenatally and postpartum in a study of obstetric outcomes at a midwestern tertiary-care center and its ambulatory satellite and hospital clinics (Oakley et al., 1996). The goal of the parent study was to enroll women at low to moderate risk. Registered nurses assessed the risk status of every pregnant woman with a private first prenatal visit to the participating providers between May 1988 and April 1992. Women were excluded

Patterns of Postpartum Activity

Self-reported exercise levels and participation in activities for fun are presented in Table 1. Those who reported doing vigorous exercise indicated a modal frequency of three times per week.

Postpartum Activity and Maternal Weight Retention

Because of the contribution of excess weight to poor physical health, we examined postpartum weight retention. To test hypothesis 1, that less postpartum activity is associated with weight retention, we compared mean weight retained in the groups who reported lower, the same, and higher activity levels at 6 

Discussion

The differences between those who completed the study and those who did not worked to increase the homogeneity of the final sample and to make our results less likely. That is, the final sample would be expected to have greater psychologic hardiness and to be less sensitive to an effect of exercise on well-being because of its greater access to resources. Thus, the significant associations that we report are particularly noteworthy. A greater effect size would be anticipated in a more

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