Evaluating Preconception Health and Behaviour Change in Australian Women Planning a Pregnancy: The OptimalMe Program, a Digital Healthy Lifestyle Intervention with Remotely Delivered Coaching

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Abstract

OptimalMe is a digital healthy lifestyle intervention for women planning a pregnancy, with remotely delivered coaching. This follow-up study of Australian women, stratified by coaching delivery mode (phone vs. videoconferencing), assessed alignment to preconception care guidelines and self-reported behaviour change. Overall, 298 women enrolled with a mean (SD) age of 31.8 (4.3) years and mean BMI of 25.7 (6.1) kg/m2. Suboptimal preconception behaviours were reported at baseline, including alcohol consumption (57.2%), infrequent weighing (37.2%) and incomplete cervical cancer screening (15.8%) and prenatal supplementation (38.5). At follow-up (4.5 months) (n = 217), a statistically significant shift towards desired behaviours was reported for alcohol consumption (z = −2.6045, p = 0.00932), preconception supplementation (z = −2.7288, p = 0.00634) and frequent weight monitoring (z = −5.2911, p < 0.00001). An insignificant shift towards adherence to cervical cancer screening (z = −1.8679, p = 0.06148) was observed, with a positive trend towards adherence. Results indicate that women who are actively planning a pregnancy require support to optimise health and lifestyle in preparation for pregnancy and general health and lifestyle improvement. Women demonstrated improvement in lifestyle behaviours and self-monitoring, indicating the uptake of low-intensity, non-prescriptive information provision. Supporting the provision of knowledge-enhancing tools and general healthy lifestyle information combines with skilled health coaching as an effective method for behaviour change and self-management. OptimalMe also shows significant improvements in rates of healthcare engagement, which suggests coaching-based digital health interventions may decrease women’s barriers for preconception care and improve engagement in clinical settings.

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Body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain are increasing globally. In 2009, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) provided specific recommendations regarding the ideal gestational weight gain. However, the association between gestational weight gain consistent with theIOM guidelines and pregnancy outcomes is unclear.

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Before the beginning: nutrition and lifestyle in the preconception period and its importance for future health

Judith Stephenson, Nicola Heslehurst, Jennifer Hall … (2018)

A woman who is healthy at the time of conception is more likely to have a successful pregnancy and a healthy child. We reviewed published evidence and present new data from high, low and middle income countries on the timing and importance of preconception health for subsequent maternal and child health. We describe the extent to which pregnancy is planned, and whether planning is linked to preconception health behaviours. Observational studies show strong links between health before pregnancy and maternal and child health outcomes, with consequences that can extend across generations, but awareness of these links is not widespread. Poor nutrition and obesity are rife among women of reproductive age, and differences between high and lower income countries have become less distinct, with typical diets falling far short of nutritional recommendations in both settings and especially among adolescents. Numerous studies show that micronutrient supplementation starting in pregnancy can correct important maternal nutrient deficiencies, but effects on child health outcomes are disappointing. Other interventions to improve diet during pregnancy have had little impact on maternal and newborn health outcomes. There have been comparatively few attempts at preconception diet and lifestyle intervention. Improvements in the measurement of pregnancy planning have quantified the degree of pregnancy planning and suggest that this is more common than previously recognised. Planning for pregnancy is associated with a mixed pattern of health behaviours before conception. We propose novel definitions of the preconception period relating to embryo development and to action at individual or population level. A sharper focus on intervention before conception is needed to improve maternal and child health and reduce the growing burden of non-communicable disease. Alongside continued efforts to reduce smoking, alcohol and obesity in the population, we call for heightened awareness of preconception health, particularly regarding diet and nutrition. Importantly health professionals should be alerted to ways of identifying women who are planning a pregnancy.