Reconciling relationships with physical activity: a qualitative study of women’s postnatal physical activity decision-making

Abstract

Background Challenges with engaging in postnatal physical activity can negatively affect the health of women and their families. This study investigated women’s physical activity decision-making processes and strategies to support their physical activity as part of a healthy postpartum transition. Methods Thirty healthy women with infants aged 2.5–12 months completed 3-day activity diaries and an individual interview. Using Glaser and Charmaz’s grounded theory methodology, the core category, reconciling relationships with physical activity, was constructed, which explained women’s processes of postnatal physical activity decision-making. Results Through reconciling relationships with physical activity, women discerned the types of physical activity they were comfortable pursuing at various points in the postpartum transition. Based on the meaning physical activity held for participants and their views about risks, supports, and resources, women gauged their capacity and the workability of their physical activity desires. Most women were uncertain of their capacity (physical, emotional) to return to physical activity and viewed the achievement of several or all of their desired physical activities as unworkable. Only a small group of women fully pursued the desirable physical activities they viewed as important for their well-being. Women adjusted the strategies they used to achieve physical activity when their expectations of capacity and workability did not align with their experiences. Some women lacked access to resources or supportive messaging about postpartum physical activity and downgraded their physical activity pursuit after negative personal physical or childcare experiences. Conclusions Women can benefit from discussions about physiological birth recovery and navigating community and peer resources to support physical activity access and the safe return to physical activity following birth.

Moms on the move: A qualitative exploration of a postpartum group exercise program on physical activity behaviour at three distinct time points

“…It is important to also note that over half of our mothers gave birth by caesarean section which may have a divergent recovery path compared to vaginal birth (Roy, 2014 ) and be further reflected in physical activity confidence. Liva et al ( 2021 ) found that new mothers struggled to gauge appropriate physical activity engagement which led to over or underestimating personal capacity for physical activity. In post-program interviews immediately after our intervention, participants noted an increase in confidence in engaging in physical activity with a specific improvement in capability to be active with their baby.…”

“…It is important to note that women who chose to participate in the exercise program were likely more physically active and confident than those who did not contact us to participate. New mothers who consider physical activity to be central to their well-being seek out physical activity options (Liva et al, 2021 ) and therefore create a voluntary bias. Future research therefore needs to expand recruitment to ensure that a broad population of postpartum women participate in specialized physical activity programming to determine its appropriateness.…”

“…The lack of knowledge regarding physical activity levels of this population pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy and post pregnancy is a further limitation of this study as we cannot comment on the history and physical activity identity of our participants. Other studies have found that women may limit their engagement in mother and baby exercise classes if they were concerned about the environment not being inclusive (Liva et al, 2021 ; Peralta et al, 2022 ). Given the importance of group cohesion in group exercise dynamics, it may be important to develop postpartum physical activity groups based on similarity to promote inclusivity.…”

Relationship between physical activity and mental health in women after childbirth: a cross-sectional exploratory study

“…The effects of postpartum PA include the maintenance and improvement of mental health in addition to physical recovery [ 6 , 7 ]. However, many obstacles that prevent women from engaging in PA have been reported [ 8 ]. These obstacles include the lack of time [ 9 – 13 ], issues with child care [ 9 ], fatigue, and poor physical condition [ 9 , 12 ], social isolation [ 11 ], being overwhelmed by motherhood responsibilities [ 11 ], lack of motivation [ 11 , 12 ], lack of appropriate exercise facilities, and lack of professional advice on exercise [ 11 ].…”