Giving offspring a healthy start: parents' experiences of health promotion and lifestyle change during pregnancy and early parenthood

Abstract

BackgroundThere are good opportunities in Sweden for health promotion targeting expectant parents and parents of young children, as almost all are reached by antenatal and child health care. In 2005, a multisectoral child health promotion programme (the Salut Programme) was launched to further strengthen such efforts.MethodsBetween June and December 2010 twenty-four in-depth interviews were conducted separately with first-time mothers and fathers when their child had reached 18 months of age. The aim was to explore their experiences of health promotion and lifestyle change during pregnancy and early parenthood. Qualitative manifest and latent content analysis was applied.ResultsParents reported undertaking lifestyle changes to secure the health of the fetus during pregnancy, and in early parenthood to create a health-promoting environment for the child. Both women and men portrayed themselves as highly receptive to health messages regarding the effect of their lifestyle on fetal health, and they frequently mentioned risks related to tobacco and alcohol, as well as toxins and infectious agents in specific foods. However, health promotion strategies in pregnancy and early parenthood did not seem to influence parents to make lifestyle change primarily to promote their own health; a healthy lifestyle was simply perceived as 'common knowledge'. Although trust in health care was generally high, both women and men described some resistance to what they saw as preaching, or very directive counselling about healthy living and the lack of a holistic approach from health care providers. They also reported insufficient engagement with fathers in antenatal care and child health care.ConclusionPerceptions about risks to the offspring's health appear to be the primary driving force for lifestyle change during pregnancy and early parenthood. However, as parents' motivation to prioritise their own health per se seems to be low during this period, future health promoting programmes need to take this into account. A more gender equal provision of health promotion to parents might increase men's involvement in lifestyle change. Furthermore, parents' ranking of major lifestyle risks to the fetus may not sufficiently reflect those that constitute greatest public health concern, an area for further study.

Health-Risk Behaviour of Women and Men—Differences According to Partnership and Parenthood. Results of the German Health Update (GEDA) Survey 2009–2010

“…This knowledge suggests that health agencies should develop policies and programs to support the maintenance of healthy behaviour in women after their children have grown or have left the household, or after disruption of a partnership. Furthermore, a more gender-equal focus in health promotion might increase men's involvement in lifestyle change (Edvardsson et al 2011).…”

The Perspectives of Pregnant Women on Health-Promoting Behaviors: An Integrative Systematic Review

“…Viau et al expressed that women experience worries related to the health of fetus, changes in daily activities, risks related to pregnancy such as abortion and social commitment during their pregnancy (31). Various studies on women implied fetal health was the most important motivating factor for making changes in the lifestyle (31,33,34). Addicted women's reasons to change their lifestyle were concerns about the health of the fetus and newborn, loving children and belief that they deserved to have the chance for a healthy life.…”

“…Addicted women's reasons to change their lifestyle were concerns about the health of the fetus and newborn, loving children and belief that they deserved to have the chance for a healthy life. Therefore, they were too eager to get health-related messages to improve neonatal outcomes (33). On the other hand, studies suggested that pregnant women were not informed enough concerning the issues related to health (33,35), so they were unable to express the benefits of changing the diet and physical activities (35), plus they did not have sufficient information about obesity and overweight (33,35).…”

“…According to the women, having another child and child care, consequences of pregnancy, lack of awareness and family support, changes in the mood, tiredness of pregnancy and worries regarding the security of behavioral changes in children were all considered barriers (35). However, in most studies, time was mentioned as the most important barrier from the women's points of view (33,34). Another barrier was the lack of a comprehensive approach in sanitary care (33).…”

Preventing Alcohol Consumption during Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…We know that parents change their lifestyle habits at pregnancy recognition to ensure the health of the fetus [44]. Pregnancy is a window of opportunity through which health-promoting interventions can be applied, since parents are generally open to change at that time.…”