Table 4 Themes, categories and subcategories describing parents' experiences of health promotion and lifestyle change during pregnancy and early parenthood

I. Experiencing healthy lifestyle promotion without own lifestyle change

Encountering superficial health promotion

Healthy lifestyle is common knowledge

Experiencing lack of parental attention when entering child health care

Experiencing health promotion advice as too directive

Appearing healthy means no questions and advice

Facing prevailing traditional gender roles

As partner being the third person of interest

Perceiving ANC¹ and CHC² as 'women's business'

Feeling no urgency to prioritise own health

Feeling strong and healthy

Ranking risks and postponing lifestyle change

Relapse after pregnancy and breastfeeding

II. Offspring's health as a primary incentive for lifestyle change

Securing the health of the fetus

Avoiding fetal risk exposure

Adhering to guidelines on healthy living

Taking shared or single responsibility

Providing a health promoting environment for the child

Being a role model

Changing daily routines and own lifestyle

Setting priorities for own health

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle to avoid adverse outcomes

Facing barriers to healthy living