Maternal health behaviours: the development and feasibility evaluation of a mindfulness-based behaviour change intervention for pregnant women

Background: Maternal health behaviours are associated with the likelihood of pregnancy complications, and with infants’ immediate and lifetime outcomes. Aim: The overarching aim was to investigate whether mindfulness training might have any potential as the basis of a maternal behaviour change intervention. Method: The project employed mixed methods. The intervention development was guided by the Behaviour Change Wheel handbook. A cross-section survey investigated relationships between pregnant women’s trait mindfulness and: health behaviours: physical activity, taking Vitamin D supplements, BMI at conception, drinking alcohol, smoking; subjective wellbeing and perceived stress; and health behaviour motivation (n = 318). The feasibility of a novel 17-week maternal mindfulness-based behaviour change intervention, “Mind the Bump”, was evaluated in an uncontrolled repeated measures and feedback feasibility study (n = 32). Results: Trait mindfulness was not related to maternal health behaviours. Trait mindfulness was positively related to positive affect and wellbeing, health behaviour motivation, and negatively related to perceived stress and negative affect. Non-adherence to UK recommendations for exercise, Vitamin D, alcohol, and smoking was related to: poorer subjective wellbeing and lower health behaviour motivation. Concurrent risks were more common in women with lower wellbeing and higher negative affect. The intervention was feasible in terms of recruitment, acceptability, and retention. Adherence was moderate in the contact period (week 1 to 8), and reduced in the self-led period (week 9 to 16). There were no significant changes in health behaviours: physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, Vitamin D supplementation, or alcohol consumption. There were significant improvements in positive aspects of mental health: mindfulness, positive affect, and wellbeing. There were no significant changes in negative aspects of mental health: perceived stress, negative affect, general anxiety, antenatal depression, and pregnancy distress. There may be more potential to improve health behaviours prior to pregnancy.

Grantor dc:publisher

Oxford Brookes University

Year dc:date

2016

Author dc:creator

• Hennelly, Sarah E.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Smith, Lesley
• Foxcroft, David

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved

Language dc:language

en

DOI dc:identifier

https://doi.org/10.24384/9fxd-tc11

OAI identifier oai:identifier

tle:8119b08c-1209-4319-a643-428df4f26dc5:d6bd9758-527a-46cd-bfe2-c433766e8fca:1