Supporting postpartum physical activity in maternity care: a co-creation study in Denmark

Physical activity (PA) contributes to maternal health. The postpartum period presents a window of opportunity to influence health behaviours, including establishing sound PA routines. Interdisciplinary coordination across the maternity care system is essential for timely, contextually relevant, and equitable postpartum PA support.

To co-create strategies for supporting postpartum PA in maternity care in Denmark.

The "PRODUCES+ framework" guided this two-phase co-creation study. Phase 1 involved three expert interviews and insights from scientific literature on postpartum PA. Phase 2 comprised two co-creation workshops with stakeholders representing postpartum women and various healthcare professionals (HCPs) from Danish maternity care. Data from both phases were analysed thematically.

Expert interviews (phase 1) revealed three themes: (i) approaches to discussing PA with postpartum women, (ii) roles and competencies of various HCPs in postpartum PA support, and (iii) interdisciplinary collaboration. In the workshops (phase 2), stakeholders identified two optimal time points for delivering PA support: during the third trimester and at two months postpartum. PA barriers were identified at the structural, interpersonal, and individual levels. Co-created strategies included (i) screening and early identification of needs, (ii) varying competencies and roles of HCPs, (iii) PA support arenas, (iv) motivation and engagement, and (v) national postpartum PA guidelines.

The findings of this study offer insight into embedding PA support in existing maternity healthcare touchpoints. Interdisciplinary coordination, targeted support for those most in need, and a shared professional understanding of postpartum PA are highlighted as important to strengthen postpartum PA support in maternity care.