Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensory-motor disorder affecting up to one in three pregnant women, which peaks during the third trimester and is linked to poor pregnancy outcomes. Symptoms typically worsen during a period of inactivity, especially at night, resulting in sleep disruption or deprivation. This study aimed to compare the effects of stretching exercises versus thermotherapy on RLS symptoms and sleep quality among pregnant women. Study design: A quasi-experimental study was carried out at the antenatal outpatient clinic of Maternity University Hospital. A sample of 60 pregnant women was randomly assigned to two groups. One group was instructed to perform leg stretching exercises daily for one week, and the other group applied thermotherapy. They rated their RLS symptoms, pain level, and sleep quality at baseline and after receiving interventions. Results: the severity of RLS symptoms declined to a mild level among pregnant women immediately and after one week of performing stretching exercises (53.3%, 93.3%), compared to 6.7% and 63.3% of those who applied thermotherapy (p=0.001, p= 0.02).

Background: Many women during pregnancy suffer from low back pain (LBP). This pain has a significant effect on women's quality of life. Fifty percent of women during pregnancy have low back pain. According to the related literature, LBP may be a weakening condition that influences on women's daily activities and their productivity and affecting women's quality of life. LBP must not be neglected and great attention should be given to this complaint. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercises during pregnancy on low back pain and quality of woman's life. Subjects and Method: Design: A quasi-experimental research design was carried out at Salah Abd-Rabo obstetric and gynecological clinic and Sahala obstetric and gynecologic center, Alexandria, Egypt. Subjects: A convenient sample of 40 pregnant women were assigned randomly to a muscle relaxation group or a control group (20 participants in each group) according to certain criteria. Tools: Three tools of data collection were used: A questionnaire sheet, a visual analog pain intensity scale (VAS) and health related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaire. Results: There is a significant decrease in pain intensity at 2 months, (p < 0.05) among participants in the study group while, pain intensity increased among control group participants after the same period. In addition, there is a significant improvement in all quality of life aspects after two months among the study group than control group, (p < 0.05). Conclusion and recommendations:PMR can reduce low back pain among pregnant women and improve their quality of life. Pregnant women who wish to stop pharmacological pain relief should be taught about PMR.

Background: Despite family planning multiple benefits, women's experiences and concerns present a formidable barrier to the sustained use of contraceptives. Combined oral contraceptive pills use has remained low in Kwale County, owing to the various challenges that women of reproductive age face towards modern use of contraception. Objective: To explore concerns of women using combined oral contraceptive pills in Kwale County, Kenya. Settings:The study was carried out in the outpatient family planning clinics of 8 maternal and child health facilities in sub counties of Kwale county. Subjects: A convenient sample of 300 women attending selected settings was included in the study subjects. Tools: Four tools were used for data collection. Tool I: Socio-demographic and reproductive history structured interview schedule; Tool II: Concerns of women using combined oral contraceptive pills structured interview schedule; Tool III: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7) screening tool and Tool VI: Women's knowledge of combined oral contraceptive use structured interview schedule. Results: Findings revealed that mean age of women using combined oral contraceptive pills was 28.71 ± 5.56. Physical concerns were reported by less than two-thirds (60.7%) of study subjects. More than half (52.3%) had accessibility concerns, while, more than one-third (38.7%) had sexual concerns, and about one-fifth (19.7%) had socioeconomic concerns. Conclusion: Fears of side effects or health-related reasons were the dominant physical concern reported by women who were using combined oral contraceptive pills. Recommendations: Strengthen health education and to improve counseling practice for women and couples seeking FP services, especially on combined oral contraceptive pills.

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