Experiences of physical activity during pregnancy resulting from in vitro fertilisation: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Journal article


Walker, C., Mills, H. and Gilchrist, A. 2017. Experiences of physical activity during pregnancy resulting from in vitro fertilisation: an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2017.1313968
AuthorsWalker, C., Mills, H. and Gilchrist, A.
Abstract

Objective To explore the qualitative experiences and decision-making processes surrounding physical activity (PA) for women who have undergone IVF treatment.

Background Physical activity (PA) during pregnancy is safe for both mother and fetus in the majority of cases, including for women who have undergone in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment; however, there is a paucity of research into decision-making and PA in this population.

Methods Eight women, who had undergone successful IVF treatment and were currently pregnant or had given birth within the last two years, participated in semi-structured interviews about their experiences of infertility and PA during pregnancy. Interview transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Results Three superordinate themes emerged from the data: ‘navigating away from childlessness and towards motherhood’, ‘negotiating a safe passage’, and ‘balancing the challenges of pregnancy with the needs of the self’. Ten subthemes indicated the processes adopted to navigate experiences of infertility, the IVF process, and subsequent decision-making about PA during pregnancy.

Conclusion PA during pregnancy was experienced as a way to soothe the self and control the experience of pregnancy; however, this was mediated by concerns about safety and physical limitations on PA. Limitations of the study are considered, as well as implications for clinical practice and directions for future research.

Year2017
JournalJournal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology
PublisherTaylor & Francis
ISSN0264-6838
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2017.1313968
Publication dates
Online20 Apr 2017
Publication process dates
Deposited01 Feb 2017
Accepted30 Jan 2017
Accepted author manuscript
Output statusPublished
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ContributorsWalker, C., Mills, H. and Gilchrist, A.
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De Vivo, M. and Mills, H. 2017. A mixed methods approach to advance the understanding of physical activity behaviour during pregnancy. Journal of Sports Sciences. 35 (S1), pp. 22-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2017.1378421
Why absence of evidence of risk is not the same as evidence for absence of risk
Mills, H., De Vivo, M. and Beedie, C. 2017. Why absence of evidence of risk is not the same as evidence for absence of risk. Canterbury Christ Church University.
“Already tired – do I need to be more tired?!” Eliciting the modal salient exercise beliefs of pregnant women in East Kent (United Kingdom).
De Vivo, M. and Mills, H. 2015. “Already tired – do I need to be more tired?!” Eliciting the modal salient exercise beliefs of pregnant women in East Kent (United Kingdom).
Examining the effectiveness of the theory of planned behaviour in explaining exercise intention and behaviour during pregnancy: a meta-analysis
De Vivo, M., Hulbert, S., Mills, H. and Uphill, M. 2016. Examining the effectiveness of the theory of planned behaviour in explaining exercise intention and behaviour during pregnancy: a meta-analysis. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2015.1118022
Public attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities after viewing Olympic or Paralympic performance
Ferrara, K., Burns, J. and Mills, H. 2015. Public attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities after viewing Olympic or Paralympic performance. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. 32 (1), pp. 19-33. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2014-0136
“I could have gone off much harder”. Post-race counterfactual thinking in indoor rowers.
Dray, K., Uphill, M., Mills, H. and Southam, M. 2015. “I could have gone off much harder”. Post-race counterfactual thinking in indoor rowers.
Examining the effectiveness of the Theory of Planned Behaviour in predicting exercise intention and behaviour during pregnancy: Preliminary findings from a random effects meta-analysis
De Vivo, M., Hulbert, S., Mills, H. and Uphill, M. 2014. Examining the effectiveness of the Theory of Planned Behaviour in predicting exercise intention and behaviour during pregnancy: Preliminary findings from a random effects meta-analysis.
Exploring perceptions of success within an exercise referral scheme: a mixed method investigation
Mills, H., Crone, D., James, D. and Johnston, L. 2012. Exploring perceptions of success within an exercise referral scheme: a mixed method investigation. Evaluation Review. 36 (6), pp. 407-429. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193841X12474452
The potential power of the Paralympics - changing attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities
Parrot, K., Burns, J., Mills, H. and Baker, P. 2012. The potential power of the Paralympics - changing attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities.
'Even if you can’t skip, you have a skip in your step when you walk out of the gym': a study into patients' perceptions of an exercise referral scheme
Mills, H., Crone, D., Johnston, L. and James, D. 2007. 'Even if you can’t skip, you have a skip in your step when you walk out of the gym': a study into patients' perceptions of an exercise referral scheme.
Emotional intelligence: associations with emotions, emotion regulation and rowing performance
Uphill, M. and Mills, H. 2011. Emotional intelligence: associations with emotions, emotion regulation and rowing performance. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 45 (15). https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2011-090606.36
Response to article: Effect of exercise referral schemes in primary care on physical activity and improving health outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis
Crone, D., James, D., Mills, H. and Johnston, L. 2011. Response to article: Effect of exercise referral schemes in primary care on physical activity and improving health outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis. British Medical Journal (BMJ). 2011 (343). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d6462
Building Bridges - An innovative tool to capture small health behaviour changes; the development process
Mills, H., Uphill, M. and Weed, M. 2011. Building Bridges - An innovative tool to capture small health behaviour changes; the development process.
Factors associated with exercise referral scheme success
Mills, H. 2009. Factors associated with exercise referral scheme success.
'Even if you can't skip, you have a skip in your step when you walk out of the gym': a study into patients' perceptions of an exercise referral scheme
Mills, H., James, D., Chrone, D. and Johnston, L. 2007. 'Even if you can't skip, you have a skip in your step when you walk out of the gym': a study into patients' perceptions of an exercise referral scheme. Journal of Sports Sciences. 25 (S2), pp. 108-109.
A mixed method investigation into the perception and measurement of success in an exercise referral scheme
Mills, H., Crone, D., James, D. and Johnston, L. 2010. A mixed method investigation into the perception and measurement of success in an exercise referral scheme.
‘Like I say to my dad, it’s not you’re fat, it’s probably muscle’ – exploring young boys’ perceptions of the physical activity and health relationship
Mills, H. and Mendez, K. 2010. ‘Like I say to my dad, it’s not you’re fat, it’s probably muscle’ – exploring young boys’ perceptions of the physical activity and health relationship.
Public health and physical activity
Mills, H., Crone, D. and El Ansari, W. 2009. Public health and physical activity. in: Wilson, F. and Mabhala, M. (ed.) Key Concepts in Public Health Los Angeles SAGE Publications Ltd. pp. 202-206
Factors associated with physical activity referral completion and health outcomes
James, D., Mills, H., Crone, D., Johnston, L., Morris, C. and Gidlow, C. 2009. Factors associated with physical activity referral completion and health outcomes. Journal of Sports Sciences. 27 (10), pp. 1007-1017. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410903214248