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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
The impact of a 6-week lifestyle programme on maternal mental health
1
University of Manchester, Division of Nursing- Midwifery and Social Work -, Manchester, United Kingdom
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A989
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Mental health (MH) problems affect 1 in 5 UK women, exacerbated by a lack of funding and reduced support services. Despite research showing that physical activity(PA) during pregnancy may have a positive impact on mental wellbeing, UK guidelines fail to utilise this advice and healthcare professionals lack knowledge in the area. Consequently, opportunities to improve maternal MH are potentially overlooked.
OBJECTIVES:
To assess if attending a 6-week exercise and lifestyle programme for pregnant women impacted maternal MH. Ethics was approved by the NHS Health Research Authority committee.
METHODS:
Women (n=27) between 14-28 weeks gestation were recruited, from Merseyside hospitals to attend the programme. Participants completed the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS) at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks post intervention. Participants were categorised as highly anxious and at risk of depression with scores of >7 and >11, respectively.
RESULTS:
The EDS showed a slight decrease in depression risk from baseline to 6 weeks but a further increase by 12 weeks yet not statistically significant. However, the GAD-7 demonstrated a significant reduction in anxiety (p=0.019) declining from 4.54 ± 3.82 at baseline to 3.47 ± 4.35 at 12 weeks. While the mean scores were below the outlined thresholds, the reduction in feelings of anxiety suggests potential positive benefits of taking part in a lifestyle programme for maternal MH.
CONCLUSIONS:
Whilst further research on the true impact of PA on maternal MH is required, there was no indication that being physically active had a detrimental impact on health. This highlights the potential benefits of PA on mental wellbeing, emphasising the importance of integrating PA support into routine maternity care.
KEY MESSAGE:
Physical activity during pregnancy is a determinant of maternal health and potentially, mental wellbeing. Midwives should receive specific training and support to educate and advise women safely during pregnancy. Poster session 4 (Group B)
Mental health (MH) problems affect 1 in 5 UK women, exacerbated by a lack of funding and reduced support services. Despite research showing that physical activity(PA) during pregnancy may have a positive impact on mental wellbeing, UK guidelines fail to utilise this advice and healthcare professionals lack knowledge in the area. Consequently, opportunities to improve maternal MH are potentially overlooked.
OBJECTIVES:
To assess if attending a 6-week exercise and lifestyle programme for pregnant women impacted maternal MH. Ethics was approved by the NHS Health Research Authority committee.
METHODS:
Women (n=27) between 14-28 weeks gestation were recruited, from Merseyside hospitals to attend the programme. Participants completed the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS) at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks post intervention. Participants were categorised as highly anxious and at risk of depression with scores of >7 and >11, respectively.
RESULTS:
The EDS showed a slight decrease in depression risk from baseline to 6 weeks but a further increase by 12 weeks yet not statistically significant. However, the GAD-7 demonstrated a significant reduction in anxiety (p=0.019) declining from 4.54 ± 3.82 at baseline to 3.47 ± 4.35 at 12 weeks. While the mean scores were below the outlined thresholds, the reduction in feelings of anxiety suggests potential positive benefits of taking part in a lifestyle programme for maternal MH.
CONCLUSIONS:
Whilst further research on the true impact of PA on maternal MH is required, there was no indication that being physically active had a detrimental impact on health. This highlights the potential benefits of PA on mental wellbeing, emphasising the importance of integrating PA support into routine maternity care.
KEY MESSAGE:
Physical activity during pregnancy is a determinant of maternal health and potentially, mental wellbeing. Midwives should receive specific training and support to educate and advise women safely during pregnancy. Poster session 4 (Group B)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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