Water exercises and quality of life during pregnancy

A comparative observational study involving sedentary low-risk pregnant women bearing a single fetus with gestational age less than 20 weeks at the time of admission to the study, who were receiving antenatal care at a public health service. One group of 35 women was given routine antenatal care, while another group of 31 women, in addition to receiving the same routine care as the first group, also participated in three classes of water aerobics per week. QOL was evaluated by applying the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire in both groups at the 20th, 28th and 36th weeks of pregnancy. In the same occasions, women also answered another questionnaire about their experience with pregnancy and antenatal care.The great majority of the participants considered that the practice of water aerobics had benefitted them in some way. QOL scores were found to be high in both groups during follow-up. There was no association between the practice of water aerobics and QOL.Further studies involving larger sample sizes should be conducted in different sociocultural contexts and/or using other instruments to adequately evaluate the QOL of women during pregnancy.Pregnancy introduces physical and psychological changes into women's lives that may affect their individual perception of quality of life. The transformations women undergo during pregnancy may offer satisfaction and personal fulfillment; however, many women feel unattractive and heavy, and may also have difficulty with some movements and in performing routine activities [1,2]. The increase in body mass and its concentration in the upper body region result in greater mechanical load [3]. The burden on the spine, principally in the lumbar segment, affects posture, balance and locomotion.The recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [4] and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists [5] state that pregnant women should be encouraged to engage in regular physical exercise programs of moderate int