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Community Expecting: Exercise During Pregnancy

Community Expecting: Exercise During Pregnancy for Sedentary Women With Obesity

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
18 Years and older
Sex
Female only
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

  • Time periods mentioned: 12 months, 18 months
  • Procedures mentioned: Questionnaires

Only what the study's summary and detailed description on ClinicalTrials.gov say. Time periods may describe the whole study or a part of it — ask the study team what applies to you.

Show the study's own words
  • "Following each workout, participants will complete a short survey acknowledging their attendance at the workout, average heart rate during the workout, and their RPE following the session."
  • "Surveys are completed and data stored using REDCap. 5."
  • "After delivery and clearance for exercise from their doctor, mothers will have the option to continue with the program for up to 12 months."
  • "If participants elect to receive post-partum support, they could be in the study up to 18 months."
Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study tests whether a community exercise program helps pregnant women be more active than usual pregnancy care alone. It is for women ages 18 and older with a BMI of 30 or higher who are not getting the recommended amount of exercise. The study also checks how well the program works for participants and community providers.

Regular physical activity during pregnancy is safe and offers many health benefits for both mothers and their babies. Research over the past decade shows that exercise can help pregnant women gain a healthy amount of weight, lower their risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure, and reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of postpartum depression. Babies also benefit when their mothers are active, with lower risks of preterm birth, unhealthy birth size, and childhood obesity. Despite this strong evidence, very few exercise programs for pregnant women have been tested in real-world community settings, such as fitness centers, community health programs, or local organizations. Even fewer studies explain how these programs were delivered or what helped them succeed. Without this information, it is difficult for communities and health programs to offer exercise support that is both effective and practical for pregnant women. To address this gap, the research team adapted an evidence-based program called EXPECTING so it could be delivered by community organizations. Previous participants and community advisors helped to understand what changes were needed to make the program easier to offer while still keeping it safe and effective. The core parts of the program, including the type, amount, and intensity of aerobic and strength-building exercises, remained the same and are based on established pregnancy exercise guidelines. The adapted program, called COMMUNITY EXPECTING, includes both aerobic exercise and resistance training. The research team also developed specific supports to help community instructors deliver the program consistently and with confidence. All program components have already been tested in community settings and shown to be realistic, acceptable, and delivered as planned. This study will examine whether offering a structured exercise program in community settings helps pregnant women be more physically active than usual prenatal care alone. We will also assess whether the program can be delivered successfully and in a way that works for both participants and community providers. The results will help determine whether COMMUNITY EXPECTING is a practical approach for supporting healthy pregnancies in real-world settings.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Age 18 or older.
  • Have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. BMI is a measure based on height and weight.
  • Get less than 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, such as brisk walking.
  • All babies born to mothers in the study are also eligible.

Who can't join

  • Do not speak English.
  • Have a pregnancy condition that study staff say makes exercise unsafe or could affect study results. These include preeclampsia or eclampsia (serious pregnancy conditions involving high blood pressure or seizures), water breaking early, bleeding before birth, placenta previa (the placenta covers the opening to the womb), or carrying more than one baby.
  • Use recreational drugs, tobacco, or alcohol during pregnancy.
  • Are less than 11 weeks or more than 16 weeks pregnant.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age or older * Having a BMI ≥ 30 * Not currently meeting guidelines for 150 min of moderate physical activity per week. * All children born to mother participants will be included and eligible. Exclusion Criteria: * Non-English speaking individuals. * Contraindications for exercise (preeclampsia-eclampsia, premature rupture of the membranes, antepartum hemorrhage, placenta previa, or multiple gestation),) as determined by the investigators to affect the outcomes of interest * Using recreational drugs, tobacco, or alcohol during their pregnancy. * \< 11 or \> 16 weeks gestation

Study sites (1)

AR