Preconception and early pregnancy are critical periods for health and wellbeing across
the full life course in the offspring. Improving lifestyle, nutrition and stress in both
women and their partners already from the preconception period onwards may have
beneficial effects on the offspring.
This RCT will include preconception/early pregnancy integrated life style intervention
focused on a healthy weight (BMI: 18.5-25 kg/m2), stopping alcohol/smoking/drugs,
supplementing folic acid and vitamin D, a healthy diet (weekly fish, iron and vitamin C
rich food) and stress reduction. Reducing stress appears to be effective for improving
(maternal) health and reducing risk behavior. Mind-body therapy, a combination of yoga
exercises and mindfulness seems to be a popular intervention, especially among pregnant
women or women of childbearing age from various ethnic backgrounds.
The use of the preconception consultation is not yet optimal. This is partly due to the
difficulty of reaching (vulnerable) groups and the limited insight regarding the
efficacy.
The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to improve birth outcomes and long-term
outcomes in mother and child by optimizing lifestyle in the preconception period and
early pregnancy in women and men. The main research question is whether an intervention
focused on optimizing preconception and early pregnancy lifestyle, nutrition and stress
improves the birth outcomes and long-term outcomes in mother and child?
This RCT will be embedded in the available Generation R Next research infrastructure.
Prior to randomization, the intervention and control groups will be offered an individual
lifestyle consultation for both women and men, and, if pregnant, an early pregnancy
ultrasound. After randomization, there will be two groups: the intervention group and the
control group. Both groups will receive standard care, including an individual lifestyle
consultation in line with current national standards for preconception and early
pregnancy. The intervention group will additionally attend three group sessions (online
and physical) focused on health during preconception and early pregnancy, coping with
stress and adherence to a healthy lifestyle. The advices are based on national guidelines
for health during the preconception period and early pregnancy. Compliance with the
prescribed advice is encouraged via newly developed digital platform