Research shows the importance of coaching as part of a lifestyle program for women planning pregnancy

Personalized support from health professionals is essential to optimize women's engagement and motivation in lifestyle programs, improving outcomes for women planning pregnancy, Monash University research has found. .

Researchers at the Monash Center for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI) have found that women planning pregnancy want reliable, evidence-based information to improve their health. This may improve your pre-pregnancy health and reduce pregnancy complications.

was announced on nutrientsthe study analyzed the healthy lifestyle program OptimalMe.

This online, phone, and video-based program helps women optimize their health, encourage healthy eating habits and regular exercise, and maintain a healthy weight before and throughout pregnancy. It is intended to support you. It also provides valuable information regarding preconception care guidelines.

Coaching sessions utilize a personalized digital preoccupation health checklist to set self-directed and sustainable lifestyle goals. Participants define healthy lifestyle goals, develop an action plan, and receive feedback and positive reinforcement from a coach.

Research results show that women had significantly higher program participation and uptake when they had access to personalized coaching support combined with engaging, interactive and relevant digital content. Masu. Once the coaching ended, the use of digital platforms and behavior change tools decreased.

Associate Professor Cherise Harrison led the program alongside Professor Helena Tiede and a dedicated team.

“Women planning pregnancy spend a lot of time looking up information online and encounter a lot of misinformation,” Professor Teed says. “Women value reliable and accurate information, and we found it important to give them the opportunity to collaborate with medical professionals. It keeps women well-informed and motivated. It is.”

OptimalMe was made available free of charge to over 300 Medibank members.

90% of participants said they would recommend it to family and friends who are planning a pregnancy. The program is currently being updated and a new version focusing on pregnancy and postpartum will be launched this year for women attending Monash Health. The long-term goal is to make the program available to women across Australia and expand it to include interconceptions, or the period between pregnancies.

Kate Price is on OptimalMe and is currently pregnant with her second child.

“I was very confused when I started looking for information about pregnancy and fertility, but OptimalMe provided information in a short and easy-to-understand format, and because it came from a medical professional, I knew it was the right advice. It was a relief to have that,” Price said.

“The best part of the program was the face-to-face coaching. I loved the sessions. I had the opportunity to ask all the little things, and that inspired me to ask my doctor more questions.”

A recently published analysis of another program showed that OptimalMe effectively encouraged women to make positive changes in their lifestyle behaviors, including in areas such as drinking.

Dr. Bonnie Bramall emphasized the importance of personalized coaching as the foundation of a lifestyle program.

“Our findings highlight the critical role of personalized coaching delivered by phone or video, and open the door for scalable and cost-effective remotely delivered health promotion programs. “It shows,” Dr Bramall said.

“This not only improves access, but also highlights the range of digital interventions that effectively support women's reproductive journeys. These findings have implications for and influence other populations and health sectors. It can be applied to programs that aim to provide

Professor Helena Tiede said: “Using the insights gained from this research, we are developing a user-centered digital platform supported by coaching to partner with women throughout their pregnancy journey. “Ongoing program development is focused on serving women within Monash Health,” he added.