Healthy lifestyle good for potential pregnancy

A healthy lifestyle in the months prior to conception, as well as during pregnancy, could potentially decrease the chance of complications such as pre-eclampsia or premature birth, according to a new global study led by scientists at King's College London.

Researchers suggest that maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure prior to conception could boost women's chances of an uncomplicated pregnancy, and say these findings could help women make informed lifestyle changes.

They also hope these results will inform both healthcare professionals and policy makers regarding advice for pregnant women or those thinking of having a baby.

The study, published recently in the British Medical Journal, monitored over 5,000 first-time mothers in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and Ireland, and is one of the first to investigate factors leading to a normal pregnancy rather than factors which could have an adverse effect.

It was supported by Guy's and St Thomas' charity and baby charity Tommy's as part of the International SCOPE Consortium, a project funded by governments and charities.

A comprehensive set of data, including details about medical histories and diet, was collected by interviewing and examining participants as well as through questionnaires. Participants also underwent an ultrasound scan between 19 and 21 weeks and had maternal measurements, such as blood pressure, monitored.

The outcome of pregnancies and infant measurements were collected after birth by research midwives.

The scientists found that a healthy diet, which should include a high intake of fruit (at least three pieces a day), both before and during pregnancy, was linked to an increased chance of an uncomplicated pregnancy.

They also discovered that a healthy body mass index (BMI) and decrease in blood pressure are important factors in increasing the chances of an uncomplicated pregnancy, all of which can be adjusted through lifestyle choices.

The researchers also found that participants who were in paid employment at 15 weeks gestation were less likely to experience complications.

It is suggested that this may be because women who are employed at this stage of pregnancy are less likely to abuse drugs and could be more likely to have an income which allows them to eat more healthily.

The authors speculate that if high blood pressure, as an example, could be tackled, the proportion of uncomplicated pregnancies could increase by 3.1 percent.

This would equate to 24,674 more women having an uncomplicated pregnancy.

However, the researchers say these potential figures must be interpreted with caution as further studies are needed.