PURPOSE:
Physical inactivity has been identified as the fourth-leading risk factor for premature death globally (ACOG 2015). As pregnancy and childbirth have become increasingly medicalized, it is imperative to recognize not all care occurs within a hospital, clinic, or via medication. Seeking non-medicalized preventative and interventive care is paramount to improving maternal-child health and well-being. Physical activity (PA) represents an essential form of perinatal care and there exists an urgent need to improve perinatal PA integration and access worldwide.

DISCUSSION:
Research and guidelines clearly indicate the importance of PA during and after pregnancy, yet numerous myths, facilitators, and inhibitors complicate perinatal PA engagement. The current state of perinatal PA demands a search for forms of accessible PA that foster opportunities for education and community. Like walking, the act of dancing to a rhythm in community not only reflects an innate aspect of human nature, but also a therapeutic form of PA. Exploring dance as a form of perinatal PA holds the potential to address questions of accessibility, adaptability, community-building, and education.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Evidence pulled from conducting provider interviews and analyzing research and literature reviews clearly demonstrates that perinatal PA can reduce risk for many complications including gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, preterm labor, and post-partum depression. The efficacy of Centering Pregnancy (group prenatal care) and group perinatal yoga underscore the many benefits of community-building to maternal-child health and well-being. Lastly, the prevalence of dance in other areas of healthcare exemplifies its potential as an adaptable and therapeutic form of PA.

KEY MESSAGE:
Finding ways to educate and empower women to engage in perinatal PA is a crucial and relevant conversation amongst providers. Addressing dance’s potential, serves to further inform and guide conversations and research surrounding the identification, promotion, and creation of healthy, accessible, engaging, and adaptable forms of PA during and following pregnancy. Poster session 4 (Group B)