Perspectives and Beliefs Surrounding Postpartum Care and Physical Activity of South Asian Immigrant Women in Canada

Introduction Beginning or returning to physical activity is an important element of postpartum care due to its associated mental and physical health benefits. South Asian immigrant women often report a lack of confidence in physical activity engagement and may face cultural barriers to engagement. The purpose of this study was to explore South Asian immigrant women's perspectives and beliefs surrounding postpartum care and physical activity in Canada. Method Eleven South Asian immigrant women ( M age = 31) who had given birth in Canada within the last 12 months and were able to understand and speak English or Punjabi, participated in the study. A semi-structured interview was used to explore participants’ birth and postpartum healthcare experiences, as well as their physical activity engagement. Audio-recorded interviews were directly translated and transcribed from Punjabi to English and a reflexive thematic analysis approach was applied. Results Through our analysis, we developed four themes: (a) conflicting traditional and modernized beliefs around postpartum care; (b) physical activity was important to care for one's child and the home, but perceptions of what constituted physical activity varied; (c) lack of time, lack of knowledge, a physically weak body, and exhaustion were barriers to physical activity engagement; and (d) social support was crucial in improving well-being and reducing feelings of isolation, particularly for those with live-in family. Conclusion Given the high appreciation for community programming which support South Asian mothers, it is essential that culturally relevant physical activity be incorporated into healthcare education postpartum to increase knowledge around health benefits of physical activity. In addition, South Asian immigrant women may require community engagement (including programming) and informational support from healthcare providers.