Mum's the word on pregnancy

Friday, 10 May 2013

University of Newcastle researchers are asking new mums to reflect on their pregnancy and post-birth experience to help researchers design a healthy lifestyle program for other mothers-to-be.

Mum's the word on pregnancy

Dr Lesley MacDonald-Wicks* said the University of Newcastle is calling for women who have given birth in the last five years to tell them what they think about the need for advice on nutrition, lifestyle behaviours and weight change during pregnancy and once their baby is born.

"We know that it's very common for women to gain weight during the years when they're having children and raising a family. While they're also very short on time, many do use the internet to seek advice on a range of things. However, we don't know how they feel about this weight gain or whether they received enough advice and support," said Dr MacDonald-Wicks.

"With Mother's Day this Sunday, we would love for mums to pause and think about their experiences, so they can help us develop an online program that will provide women with what they need to achieve a healthy lifestyle during these important years," she said.

"Mums know best and we want to find out what advice new mothers have received and what advice they wish they had received on healthy weight gain during pregnancy, as well as ways to assist with losing weight once the baby is born.

"The results of this survey will help our researchers develop a healthy lifestyle program for new mothers. This builds on the leading research the University of Newcastle has done in nutrition and dietetics that has led it to receiving a '5' rating of 'well above world standard in the 2012 Excellence in Research for Australia'."

Women aged 18 to 40 years who have given birth in the past five years interested in participating, can find out more information at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/whatwomenwant100

Participants will go in the draw to win one of 10 gift vouchers to the value of $50 for Big W / Woolworths to spend on a product of their choice. The survey closes on 12 June 2013.

*Dr Lesley MacDonald-Wicks is a Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics and member of the University of Newcastle's Priority Research Centres in Physical Activity and Nutrition and Gender Health and Ageing. HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the community.

Contact

  • Kate Carragher
  • Phone: +61 2 4921 5868

Related news