Transitional bodies: a qualitative investigation of postpartum body self-compassion

Abstract

Self-compassion encompasses the three components of kindness, common humanity and mindfulness, and involves reducing one’s own suffering that can stem from personal inadequacies as well as the desire for one’s own health and well-being. The current investigation uniquely focused on the relevance of self-compassion to postpartum women coping with their changing bodies. Eighteen postpartum women participated in a one-on-one interview at the beginning and end of one month, and maintained journals between the two interviews. Themes emerged within the three components of self-compassion and an additional theme served as a motivational mechanism for taking care of one’s self through positive health behaviours (such as making exercise a priority). Kindness was described as being non-judgemental towards themselves and their bodies, along with having a self-focused moment or mental break. Common humanity was seen as the connection with other new mothers as well as people in general at the personal (interacting with similar others on a daily basis), abstract (there are other people going through what I am going through) and virtual (such as online social networking sites) levels. Mindfulness emerged with regard to a balanced perspective regarding emotions and thoughts, as well as the temporary nature of the changes (this too shall pass). These postpartum women related to and found meaning in using a self-compassionate perspective, although they also shared examples where they lacked self-compassion. The findings inform researchers who currently know little about body self-compassion while advocating positive health behaviour strategies through a caring and nurturing approach.

Keywords:

• postnatal
• body image
• body satisfaction
• physical activity
• coping

Acknowledgement

Revisions of this manuscript were funded by the National Cancer Insitute Postdoctoral Training Program Grant R25 CA090956 that supported Dr. Woekel. The authors would like to thank these mothers for their participation and insight.