Begin Better: Randomised trial of a lifestyle intervention prior to pregnancy to improve pregnancy outcomes and longer-term health.

“The Begin Better randomised trial will recruit overweight and obese women who are prepared to delay conception for six months to assess whether this longer timeframe in which to deliver a lifestyle intervention will impact pregnancy outcomes and potentially improve the health of the children in the future.”

- Briley

More than 50% of women of reproduction age are overweight or obese. Lifestyle interventions during pregnancy in women who are overweight have not improved outcomes for mother or baby. Pregnancy is a ‘teachable moment’, but too small a window to impact pregnancy outcomes. The intervention may impact blood pressure, cardiac function, growth trajectories and developmental scores.

Aims

Modify the lifestyle intervention previously used in pregnancy and delivery of it to women with overweight and obesity who are planning a pregnancy six months post recruitment.
Recruit women who are overweight or obese and planning a pregnancy in six months’ time, from a variety of settings.
To seek funding for longer term follow up of the children and women in this cohort to assess longer term health and impact of the intervention.