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“Sit yourself down”: women’s experiences of negotiating physical activity during pregnancy

Wagnild, JM; Pollard, TM

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Abstract

Approaches to understanding why physical activity (PA) tends to decline during pregnancy are generally based on individualized behavioral models, examining “barriers” or “enablers.” In contrast, we used a social practice approach to explore the ways in which women negotiate PA during pregnancy within the contexts and routines of their everyday lives. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 18 pregnant women who had been classed as being at risk of gestational diabetes. We found that leisure-time physical activities were valued as pleasurable and therapeutic, but women’s roles as employees and carers for others often constrained their opportunities for leisure-time PA. Women encountered others’ expectations that they should sit down and slow down. This surveillance was often resisted, as women relied on “listening to the body” as a way to negotiate PA. These findings have important implications for public health strategies or interventions designed to promote PA during pregnancy.

Citation

Wagnild, J., & Pollard, T. (2020). “Sit yourself down”: women’s experiences of negotiating physical activity during pregnancy. Qualitative Health Research, 30(7), 1072-1082. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732320909103

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 4, 2020
Online Publication Date Mar 6, 2020
Publication Date 2020-06
Deposit Date Mar 6, 2020
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Qualitative Health Research
Print ISSN 1049-7323
Electronic ISSN 1552-7557
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 30
Issue 7
Pages 1072-1082
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732320909103

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Copyright Statement
Wagnild, JM & Pollard, TM (2020). “Sit yourself down” women’s experiences of negotiating physical activity during pregnancy. Qualitative Health Research 30(7): 1072-1082. Copyright © The Author(s) 2020. DOI: 10.1177/1049732320909103





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