Marjolein Poels1, Henk F van Stel2, Arie Franx3, Maria P H Koster4. 1. Division Woman and Baby, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.poels@umcutrecht.nl. 2. Department of Healthcare Innovation and Evaluation, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: h.vanstel@umcutrecht.nl. 3. Division Woman and Baby, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: a.franx-2@umcutrecht.nl. 4. Division Woman and Baby, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: w.koster@umcutrecht.nl.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether actively preparing for pregnancy by women is associated with lifestyle changes during the preconception period. DESIGN: retrospective cross-sectional study. SETTING: primary care community midwifery practice in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: convenience sample of 283 women who received antenatal care. MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: the association between pregnancy preparation (defined as searching for information and/or consulting a healthcare provider) and preconception lifestyle changes (healthier diet, folic acid, alcohol and tobacco cessation) was measured and adjusted for age, body mass index and educational level. Almost 60% (n=160) of women acquired preconception information themselves and 25% (n=68) consulted a healthcare provider regarding their pregnancy wish. The former group was significantly more likely to quit drinking (adjusted OR 5.46 (95% CI 1.76-16.96)), improve their diet (adjusted OR 7.84 (95% CI 3.03-20.30)) and use folic acid (adjusted OR 3.90 (95% CI 2.00-7.62)) compared with women who did not prepare for pregnancy. Effect sizes were even larger for women who (also) consulted a healthcare provider with regard to folic acid use, healthier diet and smoking cessation. KEY CONCLUSIONS: gathering preconception information, either by women themselves or by means of a PCC consult, is associated with women positively changing lifestyles during the preconception period. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: we recommend to not solely focus interventions on increasing the uptake of PCC consults, yet providing a suitable offer of preconception health information, which enables women to properly inform themselves.
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether actively preparing for pregnancy by women is associated with lifestyle changes during the preconception period. DESIGN: retrospective cross-sectional study. SETTING: primary care community midwifery practice in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: convenience sample of 283 women who received antenatal care. MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: the association between pregnancy preparation (defined as searching for information and/or consulting a healthcare provider) and preconception lifestyle changes (healthier diet, folic acid, alcohol and tobacco cessation) was measured and adjusted for age, body mass index and educational level. Almost 60% (n=160) of women acquired preconception information themselves and 25% (n=68) consulted a healthcare provider regarding their pregnancy wish. The former group was significantly more likely to quit drinking (adjusted OR 5.46 (95% CI 1.76-16.96)), improve their diet (adjusted OR 7.84 (95% CI 3.03-20.30)) and use folic acid (adjusted OR 3.90 (95% CI 2.00-7.62)) compared with women who did not prepare for pregnancy. Effect sizes were even larger for women who (also) consulted a healthcare provider with regard to folic acid use, healthier diet and smoking cessation. KEY CONCLUSIONS: gathering preconception information, either by women themselves or by means of a PCC consult, is associated with women positively changing lifestyles during the preconception period. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: we recommend to not solely focus interventions on increasing the uptake of PCC consults, yet providing a suitable offer of preconception health information, which enables women to properly inform themselves.
Authors: Veronique Y F Maas; Marjolein Poels; Marleen H de Kievit; Anniek P Hartog; Arie Franx; Maria P H Koster Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2022-07-19 Impact factor: 3.105
Authors: Meertien K Sijpkens; Sabine F van Voorst; Ageeth N Rosman; Lieke C de Jong-Potjer; Semiha Denktaş; Birgit C P Koch; Loes C M Bertens; Eric A P Steegers Journal: Am J Health Promot Date: 2020-05-20