الفهرس 
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Abstract
Antenatal services are amongst the major interventions aimed at
reducing maternal and newborn deaths worldwide. Quality antenatal
interventions should address common pregnancy related complains and
also the importance of guided antenatal exercises during pregnancy
should be stressed as these provide safe motherhood and improve
neonatal outcomes. WHO, (2003)
Studies have recommended that women should initiate or continue
exercise in most pregnancies as it is safe for mother and not harmful to
the fetus. The health benefits of regular exercise in pregnancy include
maintenance and improvement of physical fitness, help in controlling
weight, maintaining blood glucose, cope with various psychological and
physical stresses during pregnancy and labor and improve blood
circulation.
This study was conducted in Menoufia Governorate at maternal
and child health centers in Shebin El Kom city (Qebly and Bahary MCH
centers) to assess perception of pregnant women toward practice of
antenatal exercises using descriptive correlational cross -sectional design.
The estimated sample size was one hundred and eighty-five (185)
pregnant women. The sample fulfilling inclusion criteria: a) pregnant
woman, b) at any trimester c) without having any contraindications on
practice antenatal exercise and d) pregnant women who are willing to
participate in the study.
A piloting study has been conducting on 10% of the total sample to
test the clarity, applicability and understandability of the tool. The data collection instruments were included:
Interviewing questionnaire which contained socio-demographic
data, medical and surgical history, menstrual history, past obstetric
history, present obstetric history and current physical activity
history.
Interviewing questionnaire about perception of pregnant women
toward antenatal exercises.
Interviewing questionnaire about attitude of pregnant women
toward antenatal exercises.
The pregnant women have given an oral consent prior to enrollment.
Anonymity and confidentiality were assured and pregnant women were
told that they could withdraw from the study at any point without
prejudice.
The main findings of the present study were:
The majority of the studied pregnant women had high level of
perception about antenatal exercise.
The study revealed that about three quarters of the studied pregnant
women had high level of perception about benefits of antenatal
exercise, more than three quarters of the studied pregnant women
had high level of perception about contraindications of antenatal
exercise and more than third of the of the studied pregnant women
had high level of perception about guidelines of antenatal exercise.
There is statistical significant association between perception of
pregnant women toward practice antenatal exercises and their
educational level and their occupation.
More than half of the studied pregnant women had positive attitude
toward practice antenatal exercises.Based on the findings of the present study, the following
recommendations are suggested:
1. Incorporate physical activity, antenatal exercise benefits,
guidelines and contraindications into antenatal counseling
2. Encourage pregnant women to early booking for antenatal care
3. Initiating antenatal education sessions about exercise during
pregnancy in the antenatal visits for explaining importance of
antenatal exercises.
Recommendation for future research
1. Replication of the research study to further setting using a large
sample.
2. Other studies can be done to evaluate the positive impact of
exercise on pregnancy and perinatal outcome.