title: [Physical activity and childbirth classes during a pregnancy and the level of perceived stress and depressive symptoms in women after childbirth].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to answer the question of whether physical activity during pregnancy and participation in childbirth classes prepare women for childbirth; further, does it influence the levels of perceived stress and the occurrence of depressed mood.
  
  
  METHODS
  100 women participated in the study. Half of the women had taken part in the childbirth classes before giving birth. A questionnaires of own authorship, Edinburgh Postnatal Depressioni Scale (EPDS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant relationship observed between participation in childbirth classes and the results of EPDS and PSS-10. The mood of women after childbirth correlated significantly with the level of stress in the whole study group (p<0.0001). Best mean well-being and lowest mean perceived stress were observed in women who stayed in a relationship (p =0.0029, p = 0.0008). Women physically active during pregnancy were also characterized by better mood and lower levels of perceived stress (6.7 and 14.4 vs. 8.4 and 16.0). Among women exercising during pregnancy the participants in childbirth classes was far more numerous (p<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Declared physical activity during pregnancy was linked to lower levels of stress experienced by women and less severe depressive symptoms after childbirth,; espe- cially in the group of childbirth classes participants.
authors: Joanna
authors: J
authors: Kowalska
authors: Daria
authors: D
authors: Olszowa
authors: Dominika
authors: D
authors: Markowska
authors: Marzena
authors: M
authors: Teplik
authors: Joanna
authors: J
authors: Rymaszewska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology*; D064186:Prenatal Education / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult