# Pregnant Women’s Experiences and Perceptions of the Impact of Exercise on Mental Health During Pregnancy—A Qualitative Study

## TL;DR

Pregnant women see exercise as a way to improve mental health by reducing stress and boosting mood during pregnancy.

## Contribution

The study reveals how pregnant women personally experience psychological benefits from exercise, beyond known physical benefits.

## Key findings

- Exercise helps pregnant women regulate emotions and stabilize mood.
- Pregnant women report reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms through exercise.
- Exercise increases self-confidence and a sense of control during pregnancy.

## Abstract

What are the main findings?
Pregnant women perceived exercise as a key self-care strategy that supported emotional regulation, reduced stress and anxiety, and enhanced overall psychological well-being during pregnancy.

Pregnant women perceived exercise as a key self-care strategy that supported emotional regulation, reduced stress and anxiety, and enhanced overall psychological well-being during pregnancy.

What are the implications of the main findings?
Maternity care providers should frame exercise not only as a physical health intervention but also as a meaningful tool for supporting maternal mental health during pregnancy.

Maternity care providers should frame exercise not only as a physical health intervention but also as a meaningful tool for supporting maternal mental health during pregnancy.

Background: Exercise during pregnancy is known to benefit physical and mental health. However, pregnant women’s lived experiences of its psychological impact remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to explore pregnant women’s experiences and perceptions of how exercise influences mental health during pregnancy. Methods: A qualitative study design was employed. Pregnant women were recruited using purposive sampling from a clinical hospital setting between March and September 2025. Eligible participants met predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data saturation guided sample size (N = 38). Data were collected through semi-structured online interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Four major participant-derived themes emerged: emotional regulation and mood stabilization, reduction of anxiety and depressive symptoms, enhanced self-confidence and body acceptance, and increased self-efficacy and sense of control. These themes illustrate the range of psychological benefits associated with maintaining exercise during pregnancy. Conclusions: This study highlights the psychological meanings pregnant women attribute to exercise, extending beyond its established physical benefits. These insights underscore the importance of integrating mental health perspective into prenatal physical activity counselling and support the development of more individualized, patient-centered prenatal care strategies.