Ruth E Walker1, Tammie S T Choi2, Sara Quong3, Ryan Hodges4, Helen Truby2, Arunaz Kumar4. 1. Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Level 1 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 41-52 Kanooka Grove, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. Electronic address: ruth.walker@monash.edu. 2. Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Level 1 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, Victoria 3168, Australia. 3. Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Level 1 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, Victoria 3168, Australia; Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash Health, Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Maternal lifestyle in the months leading up to conception and throughout pregnancy has both immediate and transgenerational impacts on offspring health. AIM: To explore how women's lifestyles change when they become pregnant, and their perspectives of the lifestyle advice they receive throughout pregnancy. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative approach was used. Semi-structured interviews with 17 childbearing women (mean gestational age, 30.2 ± 2.0 weeks) recruited from a large hospital network in Victoria, Australia between July and October 2018 were transcribed and analysed using an inductive process of thematic analysis. FINDINGS: Three themes and six sub-themes were identified. Lifestyle change during pregnancy was highly influenced by participants' preconception lifestyle, the physiological demands of pregnancy and the pressures of daily life. While participants proactively sought lifestyle advice from a range of sources, including the Internet, they were generally less proactive in seeking advice during routine maternity care visits. Participants appreciated the lifestyle advice they received from health professionals, including midwives, as part of their maternity care despite acknowledging that they often received it only if they asked. Overall, it seemed that the lifestyle advice received from health professionals was much less influential on maternal lifestyle behaviour change than the broader socio-ecological environment. CONCLUSION: Childbearing women want lifestyle advice that supports positive lifestyle change during pregnancy and health professionals, including midwives, must be proactive as they provide it. Other factors that impact on childbearing women's capability and opportunity to make lifestyle change should be considered when providing advice that supports positive lifestyle behaviour change.
BACKGROUND: Maternal lifestyle in the months leading up to conception and throughout pregnancy has both immediate and transgenerational impacts on offspring health. AIM: To explore how women's lifestyles change when they become pregnant, and their perspectives of the lifestyle advice they receive throughout pregnancy. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative approach was used. Semi-structured interviews with 17 childbearing women (mean gestational age, 30.2 ± 2.0 weeks) recruited from a large hospital network in Victoria, Australia between July and October 2018 were transcribed and analysed using an inductive process of thematic analysis. FINDINGS: Three themes and six sub-themes were identified. Lifestyle change during pregnancy was highly influenced by participants' preconception lifestyle, the physiological demands of pregnancy and the pressures of daily life. While participants proactively sought lifestyle advice from a range of sources, including the Internet, they were generally less proactive in seeking advice during routine maternity care visits. Participants appreciated the lifestyle advice they received from health professionals, including midwives, as part of their maternity care despite acknowledging that they often received it only if they asked. Overall, it seemed that the lifestyle advice received from health professionals was much less influential on maternal lifestyle behaviour change than the broader socio-ecological environment. CONCLUSION: Childbearing women want lifestyle advice that supports positive lifestyle change during pregnancy and health professionals, including midwives, must be proactive as they provide it. Other factors that impact on childbearing women's capability and opportunity to make lifestyle change should be considered when providing advice that supports positive lifestyle behaviour change.
Authors: Rebecca F Goldstein; Jacqueline A Boyle; Clement Lo; Helena J Teede; Cheryce L Harrison Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2021-08-18 Impact factor: 3.007
Authors: Beata Makaruk; Weronika Grantham; Natalia Organista; Maciej Płaszewski Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-15 Impact factor: 4.614