Designing a lifestyle intervention to optimise cardiometabolic health in high-risk prenatal and postnatal women: A pre-implementation study.

Abstract

To explore key stakeholder's perspectives and co-design the design, content and delivery of a lifestyle intervention to optimise cardiometabolic health during and after pregnancy for women at risk or diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and/or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Pre-implementation qualitative study using co-design workshops (n = 2) and semi-structured interviews (n = 6). Workshop discussions and interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed using template analysis. Women with prior cardiometabolic pregnancy complications (n = 11) and research partners (n = 13) participated. Participants reported liking that the intervention fills a healthcare gap and highlighted the importance of a holistic, user-friendly, patient-centred, culturally diverse approach to intervention design, content and delivery. Delivery by female healthcare professionals who utilise good risk communication skills, display empathy and understanding was recommended to empower and support women with the knowledge, resources and skills to take ownership of their health and reduce cardiometabolic risks. This research supported the co-design of a lifestyle intervention to reduce cardiometabolic risks in women at risk or diagnosed with GDM and/or HDP. The findings demonstrate the importance of stakeholder engagement in intervention design and the need for a patient-centred approach when developing lifestyle interventions for pregnant and postpartum women at risk of cardiometabolic conditions.