Table 2. Themes, main categories, and subcategories describing mothers’ perceptions and experiences regarding the lifestyle patterns during and after pregnancy and the reasons for adopting these lifestyles
From: Pregnancy; an opportunity to return to a healthy lifestyle: a qualitative study
Theme | Main category | Subcategory |
|---|---|---|
Being a mother as main motivation for adopting a healthy lifestyle | Sens of motherhood as motivation for adopting healthy life style | Motherhood as a path to perfection |
responsibility to complete the pregnancy in the best way | ||
Baby as the first priority for mother motivated them to adopt a healthy lifestyle | Provide a safe environment for their fetus | |
Fighting harmful habits for the health of the fetus | ||
Access to information and supports as facilitators to adopt a healthy lifestyle | Access information from mass media | Information from TV |
Information from Internet | ||
Information from other source of media | ||
Support from health care provider | Support from Physician | |
Support from midwife | ||
Support from other health care provider | ||
Support from family and friends | ' 'grandmother’s support | |
' 'Partner’s support | ||
Other ‘relatives’ support | ||
‘Friends’ support | ||
Aspects of life style modifications | Physical | Change in diet |
Improved sleep habits | ||
Observing hygiene and breaking harmful habits | ||
Marital relationship | ||
Mental | Trying to create inner peace | |
Reduced arguments with partner | ||
Religious | Feel close to God | |
Following religious orders | ||
Durability of healthy life style | Striving for sustainability of healthy life style | Remembering the benefits of healthy life style |
Future of motherhood | ||
Causes of lifestyle changes instability | Cessation of supports | |
Limitation of time and endurance | ||
Return to work | ||
Reduced health care |