Women's Self-Reported Factors That Influence Their Postpartum Exercise Levels

The birth of a child is a life transition that can signal an opportunity to promote wellness and self-care. Nurses and other health care providers can encourage women to engage in exercise for physical and mental health and to enhance weight loss after birth. However, incorporating an exercise routine into life with an infant can be challenging. Sixty-two women provided feedback about their exercise patterns before and during pregnancy, and 18 of these women gave additional insight into barriers to and facilitators of exercise engagement after childbirth. Three broad categories were identified as influencing exercise patterns in the postpartum period: Time, Maternal Responsibilities, and Physical Status. Recommendations for increasing exercise include providing individualized activity suggestions, identifying exercise groups specific to postpartum women, and connecting exercise with social support for better adherence.