Baseline demographic characteristics of participants by study group.
| Characteristic | Usual care (n = 18), n (%) | Exercise (n = 20), n (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Age, years | ||
| 21–30 | 10 (55.5) | 10 (50.0) |
| 31–40 | 8 (44.5) | 9 (45.0) |
| >40 | 0 | 1 (5.0) |
| Body mass index | ||
| Under/normal weight (≤25) | 11 (61.1) | 10 (50.0) |
| Overweight (>25 to ≤30) | 4 (22.2) | 7 (35.0) |
| Obese (>30 to ≤40) | 1 (5.6) | 3 (15.0) |
| Ethnicity | ||
| White | 12 (66.6) | 16 (80) |
| Parity | ||
| 1–2 | 12 (66.6) | 16 (80) |
| 3–4 | 6 (33.3) | 4 (20) |
| Index of Multiple Deprivation | ||
| Quartile 1 — least deprived | 1 (5.5) | 1 (5.0) |
| Quartile 2 | 1 (5.5) | 1 (5.0) |
| Quartile 3 | 7 (38.9) | 4 (20.0) |
| Quartile 4 — most deprived | 8 (44.4) | 12 (60.0) |
| Married/with partner | 16 (88.9) | 13 (65.0) |
| Employment status | ||
| Paid employment | 11 (61.1) | 15 (75.0) |
| Unemployed | 3 (16.7) | 1 (5.0) |
| Looking after family/home | 3 (16.7) | 3 (15.0) |
| Sick disabled | 0 | 1 (5.0) |
| Other | 1 (5.5) | 0 |
| Mode of delivery | ||
| Normal vaginal delivery | 10 (55.6) | 12 (60.0) |
| Instrumental vaginal delivery | 4 (22.2) | 4 (20.0) |
| Caesarean section | 4 (22.2) | 4 (20.0) |
| Currently breastfeeding | 1 (5.5) | 5 (25.0) |
| Taking antidepressants | 9 (50.0) | 13 (65.0) |
| Receiving psychological support | ||
| Yes | 9 (50.0) | 6 (30.0) |
| No | 7 (38.9) | 9 (45.0) |
| On waiting list | 1 (5.5) | 4 (20.0) |
| Social support scorea (range = 0–15) | ||
| ≤12 | 11 (61.1) | 16 (80.0) |
| 13–14 | 7 (38.9) | 1 (5.0) |
| 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Smokers | 4 (22.2) | 4 (20.0) |
| Physically active prior to pregnancy | 10 (55.6) | 7 (35.0) |
Participant numbers vary due to missing values.
↵a Higher score represents greater social support.