‘It's just one step too far’: Negotiating physical activity for perinatal mental health

Physical activity is recommended as a self-help strategy for some mild to moderate perinatal mental illnesses. Despite this, we know very little about how women remain active, or take up physical activity, in the context of changing family life and perinatal mental illness. We seek to explore: a) how women negotiate physical activity for their mental health during transitions into parenthood and the early years; and b) the experiences of women with perinatal mental illness in relation to physical activity.