Providing organised, community-based pram walking was not sufficient to increase overall physical activity levels among this group of postpartum women. The results suggest that the friendships formed in the pram walking group boosted mothers' satisfaction with social contact and possibly their mental health.

Lack of leisure and time to self have been found to be major stressors for mothers. This paper examines perceived stress-relieving benefits gained from involvement in a 12 week exercise class program by a group of mothers (n = 30, x age = 37.3 years). Qualitative data indicated that exercise classes had the capacity to reduce perceived stress levels. The exercising mothers reported greater feelings of well-being mainly due to gaining a space of their own, time-out from busy schedules and the burden of childcare, and the feeling of doing something to improve their physical appearance. The negative or constraining aspects of exercise class participation included normalisation and self examination of women's bodies, and self-surveillance rather than freedom of choice. The conclusions of this paper suggest that exercise classes can provide one avenue for mothers to take more control over their own health and lifestyle.

In our survey of 500 mothers with children 0-5 years involving telephone interviews (n = 450) and focus groups (n = 50), we showed that 87% of mothers telephone surveyed used a pram for incidental activities, whilst 47% used the pram specifically for exercise. Factors preventing mothers exercising more included poor weather, lack of time, and poor quality paths. Ninety-two percent of mothers believed that pram walking would increase mental well-being, and 87% felt that it would help to reduce postnatal depression (PND). However, feedback from focus groups expressed less confidence in the program's ability to potentially benefit mothers with PND. Programs will have to be marketed carefully to avoid the stigma associated with PND and successfully target mothers at risk.

The findings suggest that physical activity programmes set up within the community specifically for Vietnam Veterans may benefit them psychologically as well as physically.

The first year or so of motherhood can represent a transitional lifestyle change; however, experiences are not well understood from the mother's own perspective. In a series of interviews, nine mothers related their beliefs and ideas about strategies utilized to maintain a perceived sense of wellness. The mothers used three main strategies: (a) obtaining help, (b) having a plan, and (c) taking time-out. Discovery of a successful strategy lead to a mother feeling greater confidence in the efficacy of her selected method, calmer, and in greater control. In order to achieve a true sense of increasing control over her own health, however, it is recommended a mother prioritize strategies to meet her own personal needs in addition to meeting the needs of others.