Partnership to Improve Nutrition and Adiposity in Prenatal Clinical Care: a Pilot and Feasibility Study

This study will pilot and test feasibility of a prenatal lifestyle intervention designed to limit gestational weight gain and prevent gestational diabetes. The intervention is based on the Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle intervention, will include prenatal breastfeeding education and online peer group support, and will be integrated into the participants' regular prenatal appointments. Women (n=24) will be enrolled in early pregnancy. After baseline assessments (demographics, maternal diet, physical activity, mental health), women randomized equally to the intervention or usual care conditions. Further data collection will occur at approximately 24 weeks gestation, 36 weeks gestation, and 6 weeks postpartum, and clinical data (weight, pregnancy and obstetric complications) will be abstracted from medical records at the end of the study. Outcomes include reach and dose of the intervention, gestational weight gain, dietary intake, physical activity, and breastfeeding in the first 6 weeks postpartum. The investigators hypothesize that the intervention will reduce gestational weight gain, improve maternal dietary intake, increase total energy expenditure, and increase breastfeeding exclusivity in the first 6 weeks postpartum.

Inclusion criteria

• Singleton pregnancies of <12 weeks gestation
• Pre-pregnant body mass index >=30
• Speak and understand English
• Plan to continue care at the clinic through pregnancy and postpartum

Exclusion criteria

• Pre-existing diabetes
• History of serious chronic illnesses
• History of prior gestational diabetes
• Prior delivery at <37 weeks gestation
• Prior delivery of infant weighing <2500g