‘I didn’t know who to ask about how it should feel’: postpartum women navigating the return to physically active leisure
Talia Ritondo, Corliss Bean, Iris Lesser
Abstract
Access to physically active leisure (PAL) is critical during the postpartum period. However, this period is fraught with drastic transformations to body and mind, altering PAL. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore postpartum women’s experiences as they navigate PAL engagement. Specifically, we sought to understand supports women needed to engage in PAL within the first year postpartum. Twenty-three postpartum women participated in semi-structured interviews, which we then interpreted through narrative analysis. Three major stories emerged through the data: (a) engaging in PAL through the transformations of motherhood, (b) lacking postpartum PAL support, and (c) women supporting themselves and each other. Moreover, our findings uncovered the lacking social and healthcare supports postpartum women receive, and the importance of self-compassion and self-sufficiency in their PAL engagement. Findings can advance academic literature and inform healthcare teams in providing long-term postpartum support to women.