My Baby, My Move+: feasibility of a community prenatal wellbeing intervention

Jenn A Leiferman; Rachael Lacy; Jessica Walls; Charlotte V Farewell; Mary K Dinger; Danielle Symons Downs; Sarah S Farrabi; Jennifer L Huberty; James F Paulson

doi:10.1186/s40814-023-01368-1

My Baby, My Move+: feasibility of a community prenatal wellbeing intervention

Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2023 Jul 28;9(1):134. doi: 10.1186/s40814-023-01368-1.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado | Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 East 17th Place, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA. jenn.leiferman@cuanschutz.edu.
² Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado | Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 East 17th Place, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
³ Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA.
⁴ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, 266 Recreation Building University Park, State College, PA, 16802, USA.
⁵ Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College, 4483 Duncan Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
⁶ Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
⁷ College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 500 North 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA.
⁸ Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, 5115 Terminal Blvd, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA.

Abstract

Background: Excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG), insufficient prenatal physical activity and sleep, and poor psychological wellbeing independently increase risks for adverse maternal and infant outcomes. A novel approach to mitigate these risks is utilizing peer support in a community-based prenatal intervention. This study assessed the feasibility (acceptability, demand, implementation, and practicality) of a remotely delivered prenatal physical activity intervention called My Baby, My Move + (MBMM +) that aims to increase prenatal physical activity, enhance mood and sleep hygiene, and reduce EGWG.

Methods: Participants were recruited through community organizations, local clinics, and social media platforms in the Fall of 2020 and Spring of 2021. Eligible pregnant women were randomized to either the MBMM + intervention or the control group. Each group met over Zoom for 16 sessions (twice weekly for 60 min over 8 weeks) to learn either behavioral change and wellbeing knowledge and skills (MBMM +) or knowledge and skills related to parenting (control group). Multiple methods of evaluation to better understand the feasibility of the intervention were conducted.

Results: A total of 49 women (25 MBMM + intervention, 24 control) completed both pre- and post-survey assessments and were included in the analyses. A subsample of 19 (39%) intervention participants completed a combination of semi-structured interviews/surveys to assess acceptability, demand, implementation, and practicality. Participants expressed positive feedback regarding acceptability (satisfaction and intent to continue use) and were extremely likely or likely to recommend the program to a friend (demand). Implementation metrics were assessed by observation and feedback forms completed by peer leaders and demonstrated high-quality control. Findings suggest that the intervention was practical due to remote sessions and cost-effectiveness.

Conclusion: The MBMM + intervention was deemed to be a feasible intervention with high acceptability, demand, implementation, and practicality. These findings can be used to inform the scalability of the intervention and implementation of a larger efficacy trial.

Trial registration: 19-1366, initial date is on January 23, 2020.

Keywords: Feasibility; Peer intervention; Perinatal; Pregnancy; Prenatal; Wellbeing.

Grants and funding

5R21HD097450-02/National Institute of Health