Summer Cannon

Pregnancy is a time of great change both physiologically and psychologically for expectant mothers. Approximately 80% of pregnant women experience poor sleep throughout their pregnancy resulting in negative outcomes for both mother and baby. Exercise may be an effective and beneficial treatment for managing poor sleep during pregnancy. This research project aims to: (1) explore Australian pregnant women's attitudes towards and knowledge of sleep and exercise during pregnancy; (2) longitudinally investigate the sleep and exercise behaviours of Australian pregnant women, and (3) examine the effect of an exercise intervention on the sleep of Australian pregnant women.

It is anticipated that disseminating comprehensive, objective information on the sleep and physical activity of Australian pregnant women will significantly contribute to the available literature in this area, providing evidence for the use of exercise as a non-pharmacological treatment for the management of poor sleep during pregnancy. This may impact not only the way medical professionals manage poor sleep in pregnant women, but also improve the health and quality of life of pregnant women and their babies.