Moving through Motherhood: Involving the Public in Research to Inform Physical Activity Promotion throughout Pregnancy and Beyond

Victoria E. Salmon, Lauren R. Rodgers, Peter Rouse, Oli Williams, Emma Cockcroft, Kate Boddy, Luana De Giorgio, Ciara Thomas, Charlie Foster, Rosie Davies, Kelly Morgan, Rachel Jarvie, Christina Weis and Richard M. Pulsford
Additional contact information
Victoria E. Salmon: College of Medicine and Health, St. Luke’s Campus, University of Exeter, Heavitree Road, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
Lauren R. Rodgers: College of Medicine and Health, St. Luke’s Campus, University of Exeter, Heavitree Road, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
Peter Rouse: Department for Health, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
Oli Williams: Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King’s College London, 57 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8WA, UK
Emma Cockcroft: College of Medicine and Health, St. Luke’s Campus, University of Exeter, Heavitree Road, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
Kate Boddy: College of Medicine and Health, St. Luke’s Campus, University of Exeter, Heavitree Road, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
Luana De Giorgio: College of Medicine and Health, St. Luke’s Campus, University of Exeter, Heavitree Road, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
Ciara Thomas: College of Medicine and Health, St. Luke’s Campus, University of Exeter, Heavitree Road, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
Charlie Foster: Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TZ, UK
Rosie Davies: National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West of England (ARC West), University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, 9th Floor, Whitefriars, Lewins Mead, Bristol BS1 2NT, UK
Kelly Morgan: Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer), School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3BD, UK
Rachel Jarvie: College of Medicine and Health, St. Luke’s Campus, University of Exeter, Heavitree Road, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
Christina Weis: Centre for Reproduction Research, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK
Richard M. Pulsford: College of Life and Environmental Sciences, St. Luke’s Campus, University of Exeter, Heavitree Road, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: Information received by women regarding physical activity during and after pregnancy often lacks clarity and may be conflicting and confusing. Without clear, engaging, accessible guidance centred on the experiences of pregnancy and parenting, the benefits of physical activity can be lost. We describe a collaborative process to inform the design of evidence-based, user-centred physical activity resources which reflect diverse experiences of pregnancy and early parenthood. Two iterative, collaborative phases involving patient and public involvement (PPI) workshops, a scoping survey ( n = 553) and stakeholder events engaged women and maternity, policy and physical activity stakeholders to inform pilot resource development. These activities shaped understanding of challenges experienced by maternity and physical activity service providers, pregnant women and new mothers in relation to supporting physical activity. Working collaboratively with women and stakeholders, we co-designed pilot resources and identified important considerations for future resource development. Outcomes and lessons learned from this process will inform further work to support physical activity during pregnancy and beyond, but also wider health research where such collaborative approaches are important. We hope that drawing on our experiences and sharing outcomes from this work provide useful information for researchers, healthcare professionals, policy makers and those involved in supporting physical activity behaviour.

Keywords: pregnancy; postnatal; post-partum; healthcare professionals; physical activity; policy; patient and public involvement; co-design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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