Acceptability of dietary or nutritional supplementation in pregnancy (ADONS) - Exploring the consumer's perspective on introducing creatine monohydrate as a pregnancy supplement

Deborah L de Guingand; Kirsten R Palmer; Jade E Bilardi; Stacey J Ellery

doi:10.1016/j.midw.2019.102599

Acceptability of dietary or nutritional supplementation in pregnancy (ADONS) - Exploring the consumer's perspective on introducing creatine monohydrate as a pregnancy supplement

Midwifery. 2020 Mar:82:102599. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2019.102599. Epub 2019 Dec 12.

Authors

Deborah L de Guingand¹, Kirsten R Palmer², Jade E Bilardi³, Stacey J Ellery⁴

Affiliations

¹ The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: deborah.deguingand@hudson.org.au.
² Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia.
³ Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
⁴ The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

PMID: 31877396
DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2019.102599

Abstract

Background: Pre-clinical studies suggest maternal dietary creatine supplementation during pregnancy could protect babies against hypoxic intrapartum events, however creatine has not been used as a supplement in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to explore pregnant women and healthcare professional's general knowledge, behaviours, and attitudes toward nutritional supplements, and their thoughts on introducing creatine as a pregnancy supplement.

Methods: Pregnant women (n = 42) and partners (n = 23), attending a tertiary care pregnancy service in Melbourne, Australia, participated in focus groups or semi-structured interviews. Health professionals (n = 100), completed a semi-structured online survey. Descriptive data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and qualitative data was managed using NVivo 22.0.

Results: Use of branded nutritional supplements in pregnancy was commonplace and acceptable. All primary healthcare respondents discussed supplements with their patients at first consultation. Supplements consumed corresponded closely to those recommended. Women had good general awareness of commonly recommended nutritional supplements, however, were less aware of the rationale for supplement use. This aligned with health professional's perceptions. Women would consider taking creatine if recommended by their health professional. Health professionals would require detailed safety, beneficence, and efficacy information before recommending creatine supplementation. They would also be more likely to recommend a new supplement in higher-risk pregnancies, where benefits may outweigh any perceived side-effects.

Conclusion: There is high acceptance of current recommended nutritional supplements in pregnancy. Implementing creatine as a new supplement will require substantive empirical evidence and changes to clinical guidelines. Public awareness and education would also be essential to consumer acceptability of creatine.

Keywords: Acceptability; Awareness; Barriers; Creatine monohydrate; Diet; Nutrition; Supplementation.

MeSH terms

Adult
Creatine / administration & dosage
Creatine / therapeutic use*
Dietary Supplements / standards*
Female
Focus Groups / methods
Humans
Interviews as Topic / methods
Patient Satisfaction*
Pregnancy
Qualitative Research
Surveys and Questionnaires
Victoria

Substances

Creatine