Moving through Motherhood
University of Bath: Peter Rouse, Oli Williams
University of Exeter: Richard Pulsford (Co-PI), Victoria Salmon (Co-PI), Lauren Rodgers, Rachel Jarvie
Following a literature review to identify existing Physical Activity (PA) guidelines and barriers/enablers for PA during/after pregnancy, the group designed a survey on engagement with a Patient and Public Involvement group (PPI) in Exeter, with support from the Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC) PPI team. The survey was distributed via identified online mothers’ groups such as Mumsnet and the Motherload and contacts on social media. 589 responses were received and quantitative and qualitative analyses of all data were conducted.
The second phase of the Moving through Motherhood project will involve extensive development of a web platform, and the project network growing to include: health professionals (including midwives, obstetrics and gynaecology practitioners); academic experts in women’s health and public health policy; policy makers (local government/Public Health England); PPI groups from within the GW4 region; and national mothers’ groups (such as Mumsnet, The Motherload and The Daisy Foundation). To support this, the group will submit applications for further funding. The third phase of the project will involve formally examining the feasibility of the web platform among target users.
Findings from phase one of this project were presented at the biennial meeting of the International Society for Physical Activity and Health in October 2018 by Dr Richard Pulsford.
