The Impact of Symptom Type and Frequency on Activity Level During Pregnancy

Objective: The primary research question for this study was: Do symptoms during pregnancy relate to the amount of physical activity undertaken by women at heightened risk for preeclampsia? Study Design: This is a secondary data analysis of prospective data collected from a randomized intervention study. Background: Physical activity during pregnancy reduces health risks, yet the majority of pregnant women are sedentary. Physical symptoms during pregnancy may be a barrier to activity. Given the ubiquity of symptoms in pregnancy, we identifi ed a need for more information regarding the link between symptoms and physical activity. Methods and Measures: The original study looked at the impact of 2 exercise routines on the incidence of preeclampsia: walking (n 64) and stretching (n 60). Our primary analysis evaluated the connection between self-reported symptoms and physical activity as measured by steps per day.