Approach to health | Generally concerned with weight gain. Proactive information seekers. Occasionally self-initiate discussion with PCP | Generally unconcerned with weight gain (viewed as a natural phenomenon). Passive interactions with PCPs. Do not bring up weight concerns with PCPs | NA |
Existing knowledge | NA | NA | Patients aware of some peripartum risks (gestational diabetes, cesarean rates). Generally unaware of long-term risks or metabolic risks to mother and baby |
Source of knowledge | Use of published resources: established websites, pregnancy books, smartphone apps (Ovia, BabyBump Pro) | Pregnancy advice from community, family members, and cultural norms. Occasionally use search engines for random search (Google, Yahoo, etc) | Patients thought they received infrequent counseling from physicians and were not counseled on nutrition or exercise guidelines unless they initiated discussion of topic |
Attitudes toward nutrition | Consciously adapt diet toward a healthy lifestyle, physical symptoms, and pregnancy-safe foods | Maintain traditional prepregnancy diet and adapt diet according to physical symptoms (eg, indigestion) | NA |
Attitudes toward physical activity | Adapt prepregnancy exercise routines (eg, walking, weights, cardio, yoga). Generally physically active during pregnancy | Limited prepregnancy exercise regimen; housework and walking main source of activity. Generally sedentary during pregnancy | Unaware of published physical activity guidelines |
Barriers | Difficulty assessing reliability of resources | Low funds to access health resources, language constraints | Barriers to healthy eating: physical symptoms (eg, nausea), lack of knowledge about healthy pregnancy-safe foods Barriers to exercise: physical symptoms (eg, fatigue), time constraints, caregiving needs |
Desired interventions | PCP-provided resources, list of pregnancy apps, partner involvement, prenatal classes | Language-specific resources, travel subsidies, and child care for prenatal classes | Access to dietitian, trusted resources from PCPs |