Before Being Born : Studies on Preconception Health and Unplanned Pregnancies in Low- and High-Income Settings

Nearly half of all pregnancies globally are unplanned. They represent a failure to meet individuals’ reproductive health needs and are associated with adverse maternal and child outcomes. Preconception and contraception care can help improving outcomes of pregnancies that are desired, and preventing those that are undesired. The aim of this thesis was to investigate factors that affect individuals and their children before they are born: parental preconception health and pregnancy planning. These phenomena were studied in Sweden and in Eswatini. Furthermore, a counseling tool to improve preconception care called the Reproductive Life Plan (RLP) was evaluated in Eswatini. In Sweden, baseline data from a cohort on pregnant women (n=3,389) of different origin were used. Many Nordic-born women drank alcohol (80% n=2,400) and smoked (20% n=607) preconception. Women born outside Europe were less likely to have these habits but more likely to have an unplanned pregnancy compared with Nordic-born women (AOR 1.37; 95% CI 1.01, 1.88). In Eswatini, data from client records were used (n=1,436). Seven out of ten pregnancies were unplanned (789/1,124). Adolescents had more than two-fold increased odds of unplanned pregnancy compared with women aged 20 or older (AOR 2.39; 95% CI 1.53, 3.75). Women with unplanned pregnancies were less likely to attend antenatal care (AOR 0.68; 95% CI 0.49, 0.95).  We collected qualitative data on unplanned pregnancy using focus groups discussions (n=3) with health workers called mentor mothers (n=29). Unplanned pregnancies were thoroughly perceived as negative events with major social and health implications. Driven by poor socioeconomic conditions, young women often engaged in sexual relationships characterized by violence and gender inequality, resulting in unplanned pregnancies. These pregnancies often resulted in neglected children growing up to become vulnerable adolescents at risk of becoming pregnant unintendedly, thus generating a perpetuating cycle of unplanned childbearing. The RLP was used by the mentor mothers in client counseling (n=29). Focus groups discussions (n=7) and a questionnaire were used to collect data. The mentor mothers were key persons in implementing the RLP. Using this tool, they observed progress in pregnancy planning among their clients and thought it improved quality of contraceptive care. The clients' ability to form and achieve their reproductive goals was hindered by contextual factors such as intimate partner violence and limited reproductive health and rights

Before Being Born : Studies on Preconception Health and Unplanned Pregnancies in Low- and High-Income Settings

Nearly half of all pregnancies globally are unplanned. They represent a failure to meet individuals’ reproductive health needs and are associated with adverse maternal and child outcomes. Preconception and contraception care can help improving outcomes of pregnancies that are desired, and preventing those that are undesired. The aim of this thesis was to investigate factors that affect individuals and their children before they are born: parental preconception health and pregnancy planning. These phenomena were studied in Sweden and in Eswatini. Furthermore, a counseling tool to improve preconception care called the Reproductive Life Plan (RLP) was evaluated in Eswatini. In Sweden, baseline data from a cohort on pregnant women (n=3,389) of different origin were used. Many Nordic-born women drank alcohol (80% n=2,400) and smoked (20% n=607) preconception. Women born outside Europe were less likely to have these habits but more likely to have an unplanned pregnancy compared with Nordic-born women (AOR 1.37; 95% CI 1.01, 1.88). In Eswatini, data from client records were used (n=1,436). Seven out of ten pregnancies were unplanned (789/1,124). Adolescents had more than two-fold increased odds of unplanned pregnancy compared with women aged 20 or older (AOR 2.39; 95% CI 1.53, 3.75). Women with unplanned pregnancies were less likely to attend antenatal care (AOR 0.68; 95% CI 0.49, 0.95).  We collected qualitative data on unplanned pregnancy using focus groups discussions (n=3) with health workers called mentor mothers (n=29). Unplanned pregnancies were thoroughly perceived as negative events with major social and health implications. Driven by poor socioeconomic conditions, young women often engaged in sexual relationships characterized by violence and gender inequality, resulting in unplanned pregnancies. These pregnancies often resulted in neglected children growing up to become vulnerable adolescents at risk of becoming pregnant unintendedly, thus generating a perpetuating cycle of unplanned childbearing. The RLP was used by the mentor mothers in client counseling (n=29). Focus groups discussions (n=7) and a questionnaire were used to collect data. The mentor mothers were key persons in implementing the RLP. Using this tool, they observed progress in pregnancy planning among their clients and thought it improved quality of contraceptive care. The clients' ability to form and achieve their reproductive goals was hindered by contextual factors such as intimate partner violence and limited reproductive health and rights

Family planning practices and women?s impression of the reproductive life plan in Eswatini

Objective: Family planning is limited and unplanned pregnancies are common in Eswatini. The Reproductive Life Plan (RLP) is a counselling tool to improve pregnancy planning. Mentor mothers, i.e. community health workers, were trained in using an adapted RLP and introduced it into family planning discussions with their clients. This study evaluates the clients' impression of the RLP and investigates their family planning practices.Method: Data were collected in 2018 from anonymous questionnaires filled out by the clients: mothers or pregnant women aged 15-44 years. The questionnaire comprised 20 questions on demographic background, fertility desires, pregnancy planning as well as quality and perceived need for family planning support. Chisquare tests or Fisher's exact test were used for group comparisons.Results: 199 women were included. Most women (74%) chose the option that family planning discussions using the RLP had helped them 'very much'. A majority also had a perceived need for these discussions as 70% wanted to have more support from their mentor mother and 92% wanted more information about family planning. Women with lower educational level and younger women wanted more support compared to women with higher educational level and older women (p < 0.001 and p = 0.028). The unmet need for family planning was 22%.Conclusion: The introduction of the RLP used by mentor mothers was well received among women but most of them requested more family planning support. Using the RLP may help women in this context achieve their reproductive goals

Development of an evidence-based website on Preconception health

Introduction: Many women and men lack knowledge about fertility, including timing of the fertile window, age-related decline, and lifestyle factors that may impair fertility. The Internet has become an important source of information, but evidence-based information on fertility and reproduction in Swedish on the Internet is limited. The present study aimed to develop and evaluate an evidence-based fertility awareness website, 'reproduktivlivsplan.se', to increase awareness of fertility and provide guidance for improved preconception health and care among individuals and healthcare providers. Methods: The website's content, design, and layout were evaluated qualitatively among a total of 20 nursing students. An expert group of researchers also provided feedback on the content. Finally, healthcare providers (n = 24) answered a questionnaire covering attitudes and views on the Reproductive Life Plan website as a tool for counselling. Results: The developing process resulted in a mobile-friendly website, 'reproduktivlivsplan.se' (in English: Reproductive Life Plan). The website, including the content and layout, was positively evaluated by most participants and was amended according to suggested improvements. Uppsala University was found to be a trustworthy source. Conclusion: The evidence-based website 'reproduktivlivsplan.se' was well received among users and healthcare providers and may provide guidance for improved preconception health and care if it becomes well known and frequently used

Contraception use and attitudes : women’s concerns regarding hormonal contraception and copper intrauterine devices

Objective To estimate the prevalence of contraceptive method use among women, assess concerns about hormonal contraception (HC) and copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) and determine characteristics associated with concerns of HC and Cu-IUD. Method Cross-sectional study. Swedish speaking women (n = 212) aged 16–50 attending midwives at four outpatient clinics in two of Sweden’s larger cities answered a waiting room questionnaire. Content analysis was used to categorise open-ended questions with free text answers. Results Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) was used by 30.4%, short acting reversible contraceptives (SARC) by 28.0%, and 16.4% did not use any contraception during most recent intercourse. Four out of ten (41.2%) had concerns about using HC and 52.3% about using Cu-IUD. The most common reason for having concerns regarding HC was unspecified side effects, fear of hormones and adverse mood symptoms; regarding Cu-IUD, concerns related to increased bleeding and menstrual pain. Among those expressing concerns, experience of induced abortion was twice as common. Women who did not have concerns about HC were using combined oral contraception (COC) to a higher extent. Conclusion Concerns about using HC and Cu-IUD are common. This needs to be considered during contraceptive counselling

Unplanned pregnancy and the association with maternal health and pregnancy outcomes: A Swedish cohort study.

ObjectivesUnplanned pregnancies are common and associated with late initiation and inadequate antenatal care attendance, which may pose health risks to mother and child. How pregnancy planning relates to maternal health and delivery in Sweden, a country with free antenatal care and free abortion, has not been studied previously. Our aims were to study whether pregnancy planning was associated with antenatal care utilization and pregnancy outcomes in a Swedish setting.MethodsData for 2953 women, who answered a questionnaire when recruited at antenatal clinics in Sweden and later gave birth, was linked to the Swedish Medical Birth Register. The degree of pregnancy planning was estimated using the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy. Unplanned (comprising unplanned and ambivalent intention to pregnancy) was compared to planned pregnancy. Differences between women with unplanned and planned pregnancy intention and associated pregnancy outcomes were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and logistic regression.ResultsThere were 31% unplanned (2% unplanned and 29% ambivalent) pregnancies, whereas most woman (69%) reported their pregnancy to be planned. Women with an unplanned pregnancy enrolled later to antenatal care, but there was no difference in number of visits compared with planned pregnancy. Women with an unplanned pregnancy had higher odds to have induced labor (17% versus 13%; aOR 1.33 95% CI 1.06-1.67) and a longer hospital stay (41% versus 37%; aOR 1.21 95% CI 1.02-1.44). No associations were found between pregnancy planning and pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, epidural analgesia use, vacuum extraction delivery, Caesarean section or sphincter rupture.ConclusionsUnplanned pregnancy was associated with delayed initiation of antenatal care, higher odds for induction of labor and longer hospital stay, but not with any severe pregnancy outcomes. These findings suggest that women with an unplanned pregnancy cope well in a setting with free abortion and free health care

Pregnancy planning and neonatal outcome : a retrospective cohort study

Background Unplanned pregnancy is common, and although some research indicates adverse outcomes for the neonate, such as death, low birth weight, and preterm birth, results are inconsistent. The purpose of the present study was to investigate associated neonatal outcomes of an unplanned pregnancy in a Swedish setting. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study in which data from 2953 women were retrieved from the Swedish Pregnancy Planning Study, covering ten Swedish counties from September 2012 through July 2013. Pregnancy intention was measured using the London Measurement of Unplanned Pregnancy. Women with unplanned pregnancies and pregnancies of ambivalent intention were combined and referred to as unplanned. Data on neonatal outcomes: small for gestational age, low birth weight, preterm birth, Apgar score < 7 at 5 min, and severe adverse neonatal outcome defined as death or need for resuscitation at birth, were retrieved from the Swedish Medical Birth Register. Results The prevalence of unplanned pregnancies was 30.4%. Compared with women who had planned pregnancies, those with unplanned pregnancies were more likely to give birth to neonates small for gestational age: 3.6% vs. 1.7% (aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2–3.7). There were no significant differences in preterm birth, Apgar score < 7 at 5 min, or severe adverse neonatal outcome. Conclusions In a Swedish setting, an unplanned pregnancy might increase the risk for birth of an infant small for gestational age

Evaluating the implementation of the Reproductive Life Plan in disadvantaged communities : A mixed-methods study using the i-PARIHS framework

Introduction The Reproductive Life Plan (RLP) is a clinical tool to help clients find strategies to achieve their reproductive goals. Despite much research on the RLP from high-income countries, it has never been studied in low- or middle income countries. Together with health workers called Mentor Mothers (MMs), we used a context-adapted RLP in disadvantaged areas in Eswatini. Our aim was to evaluate the implementation of the RLP in this setting. Methodology MMs participated in focus group discussions (FGDs, n = 3 MMs n = 29) in January 2018 and at follow-up in May 2018 (n = 4, MMs n = 24). FGDs covered challenges in using the RLP, how to adapt it, and later experiences from using it. We used a deductive qualitative thematic analysis with the integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (i-PARIHS) framework, creating themes guided by its four constructs: facilitation, innovation, recipients and context. The MMs also answered a questionnaire to assess the implementation process inspired by normalization process theory. Results The RLP intervention was feasible and acceptable among MMs and fit well with existing practices. The RLP questions were perceived as advantageous since they opened up discussions with clients and enabled reflection. All except one MM (n = 23) agreed or strongly agreed that they valued the effect the RLP has had on their work. Using the RLP, the MMs observed progress in pregnancy planning among their clients and thought it improved the quality of contraceptive counselling. The clients' ability to form and achieve their reproductive goals was hampered by contextual factors such as intimate partner violence and women's limited reproductive health and rights. Discussion The RLP was easily implemented in these disadvantaged communities and the MMs were key persons in this intervention. The RLP should be further evaluated among clients and suitable approaches to include partners are required

The perpetuating cycle of unplanned pregnancy : underlying causes and implications in Eswatini

Unplanned pregnancies constitute a major health problem globally carrying negative social, economic and health consequences for individuals and families. In this study, we explored the underlying causes and implications of this phenomenon in Eswatini, a country with high rates of unplanned pregnancy. Three focus group discussions were conducted in January 2018 with female health workers called mentor mothers, chosen because they offer a twofold perspective, being both Swati women and health workers in socially and economically disadvantaged settings. Using inductive thematic analysis, we identified five sub-themes and an overarching theme called 'the perpetuating cycle of unplanned pregnancy' in the data. A social-ecological model was used to frame the results, describing how factors at the individual, relationship, societal and community levels interact to influence unplanned pregnancy. In this setting, factors such as perceived low self-esteem as well as poor conditions in the community drove young women to engage in transactional relationships characterised by abuse, gender inequality and unprotected sex, resulting in unplanned pregnancy. These pregnancies led to neglected and abandoned children growing up to become vulnerable, young adults at risk of becoming pregnant unintendedly, thus creating an iterative cycle of unplanned childbearing

Foreign-born women’s lifestyle and health before and during early pregnancy in Sweden

Objectives: The aims of the study were to investigate foreign-born women’s lifestyle and health before and during early pregnancy and compare them with those of Nordic-born women. Methods: Women recruited at antenatal clinics in Sweden answered a questionnaire in Swedish, English or Arabic or by telephone interview with an interpreter. Questions covered pregnancy planning and periconceptional lifestyle and health. The responses of women born in or outside Europe were compared with those of Nordic-born women. The impact of religiousness and integration on periconceptional lifestyle and health was also investigated. Results: Twelve percent of participants (N = 3389) were foreign-born (n = 414). Compared with Nordic women, European and non-European women consumed less alcohol before conception (respectively, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.24, 0.58 and aOR 0.14; 95% CI 0.10, 0.19) and during early pregnancy (respectively, aOR 0.61; 95% CI 0.40, 0.91 and aOR 0.20; 95% CI 0.14, 0.29). Non-European women used less tobacco and were less physically active, but body mass index (BMI) did not differ between groups. Self-perceived health, stress and anxiety during early pregnancy did not differ, but non-European women more often had depressive symptoms (aOR 1.67; 95% CI 1.12, 2.51). Non-European women’s healthy lifestyle was associated with religiousness but not with the level of integration. Conclusions: Non-European women were overall less likely to engage in harmful lifestyle habits before and during early pregnancy but were more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms in comparison with Nordic women