Quality Of Pregnant Women Research Articles

The impact of invasive prenatal testing on anxiety and sleep quality in pregnant women with a screen-positive result for aneuploidy

Purpose Prenatal anxiety has negative effects on pregnancy and neonate. Both screening tests and invasive diagnostic tests are associated with elevated anxiety level. But a normal fetal karyotype result could improve the anxiety level in high-risk patients. We hypothesized that patients who prefer follow-up without karyotyping may experience increased anxiety and sleep impairment until delivery. Our aim was to determine the effect of invasive diagnostic test decision on anxiety and sleep quality in women with a positive screening result. Methods 132 women were included for the study and three groups were described. The invasive group consisted of women who underwent invasive procedure after a screen-positive test result, the follow-up group consisted of women who preferred non-invasive follow-up after a screen-positive result and the control group consisted of women with screen-negative test results. Participants were evaluated with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) after genetic counseling. They were asked for completing the same questionnaires in the third trimester to establish the course of anxiety and sleep quality throughout pregnancy. Results STAI scores were significantly higher in both screen-positive groups than in the control group in the first evaluation (p < 0.001). STAI scores decreased in the invasive group and controls while PSQI scores did not significantly change during the course of the pregnancy. However, the anxiety level and sleep quality were worsened over time in the follow-up group. Conclusion Screen-positive women who preferred to follow up had higher anxiety level and worse sleep quality in the later stages of pregnancy. We concluded that invasive prenatal diagnostic tests could improve anxiety and sleep quality in pregnant women with a screen-positive result for aneuploidy.

Application of nanomagnetic bead-based DEHP detection and Doppler ultrasound in diagnosis of prenatal foetal malformations

Foetal malformations mainly refer to abnormal foetal structure and chromosomes in the womb. In recent years, with the popularisation and application of electronic products and the rise of the elderly maternal population, it has caused some impact on the quality of pregnant women's eugenics. However, foetal heart disease is not exactly the same as paediatric heart disease. The foetus is connected to the placenta through the umbilical cord. It has its own independent circulatory system and is inseparable from the mother. Although ultrasound technology has been introduced to the foetal heart examination for more than 40 years, and its equipment and diagnosis technology has made great progress and development in recent years, owing to the influence of various factors from the mother and foetus, the fine recognition of the foetal heart structure and the determination of various common or complex diseases need further improvement. In this paper, 1526 pregnant women who received antenatal ultrasound examination from January 2018 to May 2019 were selected as the research subjects. All were examined with colour Doppler ultrasound, and the results were analysed using autopsy and postnatal ultrasound examination results as criteria. The value of pre-colour ultrasonography, the results showed that 35 cases of foetal congenital malformations were detected by prenatal colour Doppler ultrasound, no misdiagnosis, five cases of complex congenital heart disease, 30 cases of common congenital heart disease, and common congenital heart disease Aortic translocation accounted for the highest proportion of sexual heart disease. The use of colour Doppler ultrasound for the diagnosis of foetal heart malformations can effectively detect the type of foetal heart malformations, which can provide a reliable basis for physicians to fully understand the foetal heart condition of pregnant women and follow-up symptomatic treatment, and improve the quality of newborn births.

Pengaruh Keteraturan Senam Hamil terhadap Kualitas Tidur pada Ibu Hamil Trimester III di Desa Gedangsewupare Kediri

Sleep disturbances experienced by most pregnant women, how to overcome this is by doing regular and safe pregnancy exercises. This study aims to determine whether there is influence of pregnant gymnastics on sleep quality in pregnant women in the third trimester.This study used a pre-experimental method with the design of one group pre-test post-test. Total population of 15 third trimester pregnant women in Gedangsewu village on April 15 to May 14 2018 and the sample in this study were 13 respondents, using simple random sampling technique. Independent variables are pregnant gymnastics and the dependent variable is sleep quality. The instrument in the study was the PSQI questionnaire. Data analysis using Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test statistical test.Using the Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test statistical test, it was found that p = 0.000 or p &lt;0.01 means that there was a significant difference in sleep quality in the pre-test with post-test III trimester pregnant women.Pregnant gymnastics has several benefits including eliminating complaints during pregnancy including sleep patterns. Pregnant women who regularly do pregnancy exercise, the muscles of the abdominal wall will be stronger so that the elasticity of the muscles of the abdominal wall can also be maintained so that it can adapt to changes during pregnancy.

Behavioral Determinants of Objectively Assessed Diet Quality in Obese Pregnancy.

Interventions to promote healthy pregnancy in women with obesity by improving diet quality have been widely unsuccessful. We hypothesized that diet quality is determined by eating behaviors, but evidence in women with obesity is lacking. We evaluated diet quality and eating behavior in 56 women with obesity (mean ± SEM, 36.7 ± 0.7 kg/m2, 46% White, 50% nulliparous) early in pregnancy (14.9 ± 0.1 weeks). Diet quality was objectively assessed with food photography over six days and defined by Healthy Eating Index. Eating behaviors were assessed by validated questionnaires. Women reported consuming diets high in fat (38 ± 1% of energy) and the HEI was considered “poor” on average (46.7 ± 1.3), and for 71% of women. Diet quality was independently associated with education level (p = 0.01), food cravings (p < 0.01), and awareness towards eating (p = 0.01). Cravings for sweets and fast foods were positively correlated with respective intakes of these foods (p < 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively), whereas cravings for fruits and vegetables did not relate to diet intake. We provide evidence of the determinants of poor diet quality in pregnant women with obesity. Based on this observational study, strategies to improve diet quality and pregnancy outcomes are to satisfy cravings for healthy snacks and foods, and to promote awareness towards eating behaviors.

The Relationship Between Leg Muscle Cramps and Sleep Quality in Pregnant Women Visited the Health Centers in Tabriz

Abstract Background: Leg muscle cramps (LMCs) and sleep disorders are a common problem during pregnancy, and may be correlated. Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the features of LMCs and sleep quality as well as their association in the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 439 pregnant women referred to health centers/posts of Tabriz, Iran, in 2014. The participants were selected through double stage cluster sampling method. Data were collected by using a socio-demographic questionnaire, Pittsburgh sleep quality index and leg muscle cramp characteristics questionnaire. Chi-square, Independent t, Pearson and Spearman correlation and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for data analysis. Results: The mean ± SD total sleep quality score was 8.8 ± 3.9, within a possible score range of 0 to 21. About 84% of the women had sleep quality disturbances. LMCs were observed in more than half of the participants and there was a statistically significant correlation between the occurrence of LMCs and total sleep quality score (P = 0.001) and sub domains of sleep disturbances and daytime dysfunction (P < 0.001). There was also a significant relationship between occurrence of sleep quality disturbances and occurrence of LMCs (P = 0.006). Conclusions: The present study showed that leg muscle cramps and sleep disorder are common during pregnancy and sleep quality disturbances are correlated with occurrence of leg muscle cramps. Prevention and treatment actions should be considered in the prenatal care.

Calidad de vida durante el embarazo y su influencia en la salud bucal: una revisión sistemática

Objective: To perform a systematic review of scientific literature on the impact of oral health on the quality of life of pregnant women. Methods: A systematic search following PRISMA guidelines was carried out and 16 specific articles/studies on the subject were selected. Results: Pregnant women's quality of life (QoL) is related to age, number of pregnancies, pain, difficulty eating and presence of dental caries. Quality of life was directly related to oral health. Conclusions: It was found that most studies associating QoL and oral health during pregnancy were cross-sectional and observational; therefore, for a better understanding of these impacts, performing longitudinal studies from the beginning of pregnancy until postpartum is necessary. The need for preventive oral health counseling and dental care assistance during pregnancy is highlighted.

Subjective and objective assessment of voice quality in pregnancy.

During pregnancy, voice quality disorders may occur in form of: edema, dryness, nervousness. The aim of the study is subjective and objective evaluation of voice quality in pregnant women. The study included 20 women in the third trimester of pregnancy, age of 20-31 diagnosed at the Department of Clinical Phonoaudiology and Logopedics, Medical University of Bialystok. Subjective assessment has been based on the GRBAS scale. Objective assessment of the vocal organ used the HSDI technique (High Speed Digital Imaging). In the laryngeal visualization, high-speed camera (HS) using rigid endoscope with 90 ° optics has been used. Vibration of vocal folds has been recorded during phonation of vowel &quot;e&quot; at 4000 frames / sec. The glottal closure (GTs), symmetry, regularity and synchronization of vocal folds vibration have been assessed. In estimating the degree of glottal insufficiency, kymography of the larynx has been performed by analyzing the value of Open Quotient (OQ). Objective acoustic evaluation of voice has been also conducted using DiagnoScope Specjalista Program. Hoarseness has been observed in 15 pregnant women, whereas voice fatigability in 20 patients. Using HSDI, the edema of vocal folds in part of the group has been observed. Decreased MPT has been found in all examined women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Hoarseness and fatigability of voice are the most frequent subjective symptoms of voice organ in the third trimester of pregnancy. Decreased MPT is recorded objectively, as well as edema and insufficiency of vocal folds using HSDI technique.

The effect of relaxation exercises on sleep quality in pregnant women in the third trimester: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo assess the effects of relaxation exercises on subjective sleep quality of in third-trimester pregnant women. Materials and methodsThe pretest posttest randomized controlled trial recruited 84 pregnant women in the third trimester. Following random assignment of subjects, the treatment group (n = 46) performed relaxation exercises for four weeks and the control group (n = 46) received standart cares. At baseline and after the intervention sleep quality was assessed. Data obtained were analyzed in SPSS. ResultsThe mean score of the global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was 7.12 ± 3.66. It was determined that relaxation exercises improved some sleep quality subscales including subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration and habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, daytime dysfunction and global sleep quality. The difference between the two groups was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). ConclusionA four -week compact disc guide relaxation exercises program can be effective in improving sleep quality.

Developing and validating a prognostic index predicting re-hospitalization of patients with Hyperemesis Gravidarum

ObjectiveHyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) can have adverse effects on pregnant women's quality of life and is the main cause for hospitalization in the first half of the pregnancy. Between 19%–30% of the women admitted to hospital return for a second hospitalization during their pregnancy. These hospitalizations create a burden on the health system and are associated with high health care costs. The aim of this study was to develop a prediction tool that predicts re-hospitalization of women with HG and to validate it. Study designA retrospective cohort study was conducted. The data was retrieved from the computerized information systems of two medical centers in Israel and included all women who were hospitalized between 2010 and 2012 with HG. Two thirds formed the training set and one third formed the validation set. Risk factors for re-hospitalization were determined based on a logistic regression model. Using the regression coefficient of each risk factor, a total score was calculated for each woman. The index was validated using logistic regression, c-statistic and Chi-square for trend test. Results282 women were included in the study, 37.6% of which were re-hospitalized. Three risk factors were included in the final index and were given a score: gestational age (2); length of hospitalization (1) and HG during previous pregnancies/first pregnancy (1). Each subject received a total score between 0 and 4. Re-hospitalization rates in the training set increased from 13.6% to 65% for scores 0 and 4, respectively. Validation testing showed: c-statistic-0.678 and Chi-square for trend, p < 0.001 (training set); c-statistic-0.622 and Chi-square for trend p = 0.036 (validation set). ConclusionsThe developed index is a simple tool, based on few parameters and has a high level of accuracy. It potentially helps reduce hospitalization costs, assists in identifying women at risk of re-hospitalization, improves their treatment plan and prevents another admission to the hospital.

Exploring factors behind pregnant women's quality of life in Iran: a qualitative study.

Background and objectivePregnancy-related physiologic and psychosocial alterations can impact on the body and cause symptoms which may affect quality of life. Since qualitative studies can provide more in-depth understanding of quality of life and its determining factors, this study was conducted with the aim of exploring factors affecting pregnant women’s quality of life.MethodsA qualitative descriptive study with conventional content analysis approach was made using the conventional content analysis approach on a purposeful sample of sixteen pregnant Iranian women in Hamadan, Iran from May 2015 to December 2015. Sampling was continued until data saturation. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured personal interviews, and were analyzed using the conventional content analysis approach.ResultsData analysis resulted in three main categories, namely, the effects of pregnancy on different aspects of health (including psychological disorders, impaired interactions, disturbances in doing daily activities, disturbed body image, alterations in sexual relationships, physical disorders, and alterations in dietary habits and treatment regimens), pregnancy-related concerns (regarding the gender of the fetus, financial problems, childbirth, health, and the future), and coping with pregnancy (through strategies such as spirituality, positive attitude toward pregnancy, distraction and imagination, and support).ConclusionsThis study showed that different factors can affect pregnant women’s quality of life. Nonetheless, prenatal care services are mainly focused on pregnancy-related physical problems, and other aspects of care are usually taken for granted. Consequently, healthcare professionals need to pay greater attention to pregnant women’s quality of life and its contributing factors.

Consequences of violence across the lifespan: Mental health and sleep quality in pregnant women.

Research has demonstrated that exposure to violence and adversity has negative effects on both mental health and biobehavioral outcomes, such as sleep health. Research examining the relationship between past and recent violence exposure and mental health suggests that the effects of childhood adversity are especially pernicious, but to date, no studies have attempted to disentangle the direct, indirect and relative effects of past year versus childhood exposure to violence and adversity on sleep. The objective of the current study was to examine the direct effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and past year intimate partner violence (IPV) on different aspects of sleep health in pregnant women. A sample of high-risk pregnant women (n = 101) were interviewed. Mediation analysis with bias-corrected, bootstrapped confidence intervals was used to evaluate direct and indirect effects. Findings indicated that while ACEs had significant direct effects on mental health, past year IPV had stronger effects on sleep quality, latency, and efficiency. ACEs did, however, indirectly affect subjective sleep quality via past year psychological IPV. These findings suggest that sleep disturbance may be a regulatory stress response that is most clearly linked to past year violence and trauma. That is, though long-term sleep disturbance may be evident following childhood adversity, it is likely that this relationship is better explained by the role of childhood adversity in predicting adulthood revictimization or due to long-term mental health difficulties associated with early trauma. (PsycINFO Database Record

Determinants of sleep quality among pregnant women in China: a cross-sectional survey

Purpose: Sleep disturbances are common during pregnancy, yet few studies are currently available regarding the determinants of sleep quality among pregnant women in China. This study aimed to: (a) calculate the prevalence of sleep disorder during pregnancy, (b) examine the difference in sleep quality among three trimesters, and (c) identify determinants of sleep quality in pregnant women.Materials and methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional survey. Five hundred pregnant women were recruited at the outpatient department of obstetrics and gynecology of two teaching hospitals in central China. Five selfreport questionnaires were used for gathering data, including information of sample characteristics, sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)), prenatal depression (the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)), and perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)).Results: A total of 454 pregnant women participated in the study between September 2016 and April 2017. Eighty-seven percent pregnant women experienced sleep disorder (PSQI score >5). Poorer global sleep quality, subjective sleep quality, lower sleep efficiency and sleep disturbances were most prevalent during third trimester. The significant contributors to sleep quality for pregnant women were prenatal depression, maternal age, and gestational age.Conclusions: Sleep disorder is very common in pregnant women from China. Depressive symptoms, increased maternal age, and gestational age are determinants of sleep quality. These determinants can assist healthcare professionals in preventative intervention.

The influence of physical activity in water on sleep quality in pregnant women: A randomised trial.

Sleep is a physiological state of self-regulation. The international classification of sleep disorders now includes as a new category those occurring during pregnancy. Regular physical activity is known to improve the quality of life, one aspect of which is sleep quality. During pregnancy, physical activity is decreased but should not be eliminated, as studies have reported a high correlation between sleep disorders and the absence of physical activity. Regular physical exercise during pregnancy, whether performed in water or out of it, provides greater control of gestational weight gain. Furthermore, the reduced weight gain during pregnancy, as a result of physical exercise, is associated with greater physical resistance to the demands of childbirth, combats the fatigue caused by pregnancy and reduces back pain. All of these outcomes tend to enhance sleep quality, among other beneficial effects. To determine whether, in pregnant women, there is an association between moderate-intensity physical activity in an aquatic environment and sleep quality. A randomised clinical trial was conducted with a sample of 140 pregnant women aged 21-43 years, divided into two groups; Intervention Group and Control Group. The women were recruited in the twelfth week of gestation and took part in the [Study of] Water Exercise in Pregnancy programme from week 20 to week 37. Sleep quality was evaluated in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire. The Mann-Whitney U test showed that the results obtained were statistically significant (p<0.05). In the Intervention Group, 44 of the women (65.67%) were classified as "poor sleepers" versus 62 women (92.54%) in the Control Group. The [Study of] Water Exercise in Pregnancy method improves the quality of sleep in pregnant women, both subjectively and in terms of latency, duration and efficiency.

Sleep Duration and Quality in Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Survey in China.

Objectives: Good maternal health and fetal development require sufficient and good quality of sleep during pregnancy. This study investigated sleep duration and quality in pregnant women, assessing factors with possibly influence on sleep. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on pregnant women between June and August in 2015 in 16 hospitals in five provinces in China. A total of 2345 pregnant women aged 18 years and older were surveyed. Insufficient sleeping duration was defined as sleeping of less than 7 h per day. Excessive sleep duration was defined as sleeping of more than 9 h per day. Results: A total of 561 (23.9%) participants reported insufficient sleeping duration, whereas 485 (20.9%) claimed excessive sleep duration. A total of 358 (15.2%) of pregnant women reported problems regarding sleep quality. Compared to pregnant women with sufficient sleeping duration, those with insufficient sleeping duration were prone to have poor sleep quality, whereas those with excessive sleeping duration featured low possibility of poor sleep quality. High-risk groups of insufficient sleep duration include women of Han nationality, with siblings, in their first trimester of pregnancy, receiving care in low-capacity/quality hospital settings, and with daily or 1–3 days of secondhand smoke exposure. High-risk groups of excessive sleep duration include women living in rural areas, unemployed, in their third trimester of pregnancy, and receiving care in medium-capacity/quality hospital settings. High-risk groups of poor sleep quality include women of non-Han nationality, low income level, in their third trimester of pregnancy, and with insufficient sleep duration. Conclusions: Insufficient/excessive sleep duration and poor sleep quality commonly occur during pregnancy in China. Findings provide a better understanding of the influencing factors of insufficient/excessive sleep duration and poor quality of sleep. These findings have some implications for future interventions on sleep among pregnant women.

PENGARUH KELAS IBU HAMIL TERHADAP PENGETAHUAN DAN SIKAP IBU TENTANG PEMERIKSAAN DAN PERAWATAN KEHAMILAN DI WILAYAH KERJA PUSKESMAS BATAM TAHUN 2016

In the Working Area of Pancur Batu Puskesmas class, pregnant women begin to be implemented in 2016, but still found the low knowledge of pregnant women about the ideal pregnancy examination and there are pregnant women who show unimportant attitude checking pregnancy to health workers. Goals : The purpose of this research is to know the influence of maternal class on pregnant mother's knowledge and attitude about pregnancy examination and treatment. Methods : The study used a quantitative method with cross sectional design. The population of 151 pregnant women in Pancur Batu Community Health Center and 132 of them (63 pregnant women who had attended pregnant mother class and 69 pregnant women who never attended maternal class) were used as samples. Data analysis using independent t test at significance level α = 0,05. Result : The results showed the total range of knowledge scores of mothers who had followed the class of pregnant women is 7-13 with an average value of 10.08 ± 1.82, while the total range of scores of mothers who never follow the pregnant women's class is 1-9 with an average value 4,97,1,94. There is a maternal class effect on maternal knowledge of examination and treatment of pregnancy (p &lt;3,82. There is a maternal class effect on maternal attitudes about examination and treatment of pregnancy (p3.13, while the total range of maternal scores that never follow the class of pregnant women is 27-47 with an average value of 35 , 410.001). The total score of attitudes of mothers who have attended the class of pregnant women is 41-56 with an average score of 48.24 &lt;0.001). Conclution : It is expected that the Health Office to schedule Pancur Batu Puskesmas to carry out pregnant women's classes regularly and carried out 2 periods a year. Pancur Batu Puskesmas is expected to maintain the quality of pregnant women's classes and counseling invites all pregnant women to follow the class of pregnant women.

Relationship between prenatal maternal stress and sleep quality in Chinese pregnant women: the mediation effect of resilience

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between prenatal maternal stress, resilience, and sleep quality, and to determine whether resilience plays a mediating role in the relationship between prenatal maternal stress and sleep quality among pregnant women. MethodsTwo hundred and thirty-one pregnant women in their second trimester participated in the study. They completed questionnaires, including: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale (PSRS), and the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10). A structural equation model was used to analyze the relationships among prenatal maternal stress, resilience, and sleep quality, with resilience as a mediator. ResultsPrenatal maternal stress was negatively associated with sleep quality in pregnant women (p < 0.01), whereas resilience was positively associated with sleep quality (p < 0.01). Furthermore, resilience mediated the relationship between prenatal maternal stress and sleep quality, and the mediation effect ratio was 22.0% (p < 0.01). ConclusionsThe risk factor for disturbed sleep was pregnancy-specific stress; however, the protective factor for sleep quality was resilience. This finding could provide scientific evidence for the development of intervention strategies with which to improve sleep quality in pregnant women.

Acupressure on Self-Reported Sleep Quality During Pregnancy

The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term effect of acupression at the H7 point on sleep quality during pregnancy. After oral consent had been obtained, the midwife invited the women claiming to have poor sleep quality and anxiety symptoms to complete the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-1. Then, the same midwife, previously trained by an expert acupuncturist (I.N.), advised the women to put on the wrist overnight compression H7 Insomnia Control half an hour before going to bed and to take it off upon awakening, for 10 consecutive days and thereafter every odd day (active group). Women refusing to wear the device for low compliance toward acupression were considered as the control group. After 2 weeks, a second questionnaire evaluation was completed. In the active, but not in the control, group, a significant improvement of sleep quality was observed after H7 device application. The study suggests that H7 acupression applied for 2 weeks improves sleep quality in pregnant women. This preliminary result should serve to stimulate further studies on the long-term effects of acupression.

A healthy eating index to measure diet quality in pregnant women in Singapore: a cross-sectional study

There are limited tools to assess diet quality in pregnant women in an Asian population. A healthy eating index for pregnant women in Singapore (HEI-SGP) was developed and its association with maternal characteristics examined. The HEI-SGP was adapted from the Healthy Eating Indices (HEI) and Alternate Healthy Eating Index for Pregnancy (AHEI-P) and modified accordingly to recommendations from the Singapore dietary guidelines for pregnant women. It included eight components to reflect the dietary adequacy and quality of food groups and two nutrient-based components to reflect nutrients to be taken in moderation. Total scores range from 0 to 100. Study participants were from a mother-offspring cohort study – Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO), selected using criterion based sampling. Dietary intakes of these women were ascertained at 26–28 weeks of gestation using 24-hour recalls and 3-day food diaries. The HEI-SGP differentiated the diets qualitatively in the cohort of 955 women. The scores had a wide range of 12.6 - 94.3, with mean score of 52.4 (standard deviation 13.8) and were categorised by tertiles. Using one way ANOVA and chi-square tests, participants in the high tertile, compared to those in the middle and low tertiles, were more likely to meet recommendations for intakes of total fruits, whole fruits, total vegetables, dark green leafy and orange vegetables and dairy food groups (p < 0.001 for all). Those in the low tertile had significantly higher percentage of energy from total fat (p < 0.001) and saturated fat (p < 0.001), and lower percentage of energy from protein (p < 0.001) compared to participants from the two higher tertiles. From adjusted multinomial logistic regression analyses, women with poorer diet quality tended to be younger (odds ratio (OR) = 0.94; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.90-0.97), belonged to the Malay ethnic group (OR = 2.54; 95 % CI: 1.55-4.16), had lower household incomes (OR = 2.00, 95%CI: 1.03-3.87), were less educated (OR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.19-3.25), single or had previous pregnancies (OR: 1.51; 95%CI 1.02, 2.24). The HEI-SGP has shown to be useful for differentiating diet quality and may be used to identify women ‘at risk’ of poor diets during pregnancy and whom require early intervention. NCT01174875

Interventions for heartburn in pregnancy.

Interventions for heartburn in pregnancy.

The effects of an exercise programme during pregnancy on health-related quality of life in pregnant women: a Norwegian randomised controlled trial.

To investigate whether a customised exercise programme influences pregnant women's psychological wellbeing and general health perception reflecting health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in late pregnancy. A two-armed, two-centred randomised controlled trial. Trondheim and Stavanger University Hospitals, Norway. A total of 855 healthy Caucasian pregnant women. The intervention group was offered a 12-week exercise programme between 20 and 36weeks of pregnancy. One weekly group session was led by physiotherapists, in addition women were encouraged to follow a home exercise programme at least twice a week. The exercise programme followed standard recommendations and included both aerobic and strength training. The control group received regular antenatal care. Pretests and post-tests were performed at 18-22 and 32-36weeks of pregnancy. In the original study primary outcome was gestational diabetes mellitus, but in this report the primary outcome is HRQoL. The questionnaire Psychological General Wellbeing Index (PGWBI) was used to assess psychological wellbeing and self-perceived general health before and after the intervention. PGWBI contains six subscales and it is also possible to summarise all items to a global score. No association between antenatal exercise programme allocation and PGWBI (global score and subscales) was found. The study population was homogeneous and had high educational level. The results indicate that offering women an exercise programme during pregnancy does not seem to influence healthy pregnant women's psychological wellbeing and self-perceived general health. Further research is needed to investigate the effects of exercise in pregnancy on psychological wellbeing and self-perceived general health among women from different sociocultural subgroups. Exercise in pregnancy does not influence healthy pregnant women's health-related quality of life.