The educational activity provided information concerning
pregnancy, delivery, puerperium and care for
the newborn. The previously selected topics were presented
by health care professionals and discussed with
the pregnant women rather informally. A visit to the
maternity unit was included, and the pregnant women
visited the obstetric ward, the shared lodging, prepartum
and delivery facilities and the neonatal unit. During the
physiotherapeutic activity, resources including respiratory
training, postural orientation for activities of daily
living, kinesiotherapy practices (stretching and muscle
strengthening) and relaxation techniques were applied.
After the 36th week, the pregnant women received
orientation and training on breathing techniques and
maneuvers for the expulsion period of delivery. The
interaction activity represented an opportunity for discussing
the pregnancy experiences, the emotional
experiences involved in the situation of having a child
and the impact of pregnancy in the family context. The
main topic of the discussion was the subject presented
by the health care professionals in the educational activity
although it could be diverted according to the group’s interest at that moment. The last fifteen minutes were reserved for physical and mental relaxation.