In order to investigate the occurrence and control of the stay in sedentary and physically active gestants, 30 patients using the Single Health System/San José/SC replied to the perceived Stresse Scale, questions concerning sources, strategies for controlling stress and level of physical activity. The data analysis used descriptive and indiscriminate statistics. 66.7 % of gestants were found to be sedentary and 93 % had high levels of stress from sources intrinsic to gestation (body changes and childbirth) and extrinsic (family and financial problems). The strategies for controlling stress have been similar among groups, with the active being significantly more physical activity than sedentary activity. Although physical activity was not related to lower levels of stress, differences between groups were found for sources and strategies for controlling stress, pointing to the benefits of adopting a more active lifestyle.