Introduction to the Global Educational Week for Active Pregnancy and Postpartum

Global Educational Week for Active Pregnancy and Postpartum is an initiative aimed at disseminating reliable information on physical activity in the perinatal period. Year by year, there is more and more scientific evidence clearly indicating that regular physical activity has a positive effect on the proper course of pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, as well as on the development of the child. Nevertheless, the number of high-quality publications and scientific projects on this subject does not go hand in hand with the level of physical activity during pregnancy and after. In most countries, too many women are still not physically active enough. Paradoxically, one of the reasons for them not exercising is fear for the health of the child and an unjustified belief in an increased risk of miscarriage, allegedly related to exercise. It is certainly difficult to fight myths and stereotypes, especially those passed down from generation to generation. However, in our project, we take up this challenge by inviting outstanding experts and scientists in the field of physical activity in the perinatal period to cooperate. Recognizing that cultural context and reducing language barriers are key to providing information and promoting exercise, as part of the Global Educational Week for Active Pregnancy and Postpartum, we will be running a series of webinars in various languages: Spanish, Lithuanian, Polish, and Portuguese. Additionally, webinaries in English will be available.

Webinars are primarily aimed at future and young parents, instructors and trainers, as well as doctors, midwives and physiotherapists. However, we also invite scientists, educators, activists, policy makers and representatives of the private sector, including owners of fitness clubs and other entities providing recreational and sports services, to cooperate. We are convinced that only a common dialogue between various stakeholders will contribute to the effective promotion of exercise during and after pregnancy, and thus to improving the health of mothers and their children.

These initiatives are co-financed by the Minister of Science under the ‘Regional Excellence Initiative’ programme, Poland (within the “NEPPE – global promotion” project, PI: Anna Szumilewicz) 

and by national funds through FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., Portugal (within the project Active Pregnancy [2023.14896.PEX], PI: Rita Santos Rocha).