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Association Between Pregnancy Intention and Reproductive-health Related Behaviors Before and After Pregnancy Recognition, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2002

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Abstract

Objectives Given that approximately half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, the authors sought to understand the relation between pregnancy intention and health behaviors. Methods Mothers of live-born infants without major birth defects were interviewed as part of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. The interview assessed pregnancy intention as well as exposures to vitamins, alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, occupational hazards, exogenous heat (e.g., hot tubs and saunas) and caffeine. Crude odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated and stratified analyses were performed to assess interaction. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios. Results Both before and after the diagnosis of pregnancy, women with unintended pregnancies were more likely to use illicit drugs, smoke, be exposed to environmental smoke, and not take folic acid or multivitamins. The degree to which women altered behaviors after they realized they were pregnant was also associated with their pregnancy intention status. For certain behaviors, maternal age or parity altered the association between pregnancy intention and changing behaviors after awareness of pregnancy. Conclusion Pregnancy intention status is a key determinant of pregnancy-related behavior. To improve reproductive outcomes, preconceptional and prenatal programs should consider a woman’s desire for pregnancy.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the participating families, scientists, and staff of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. In addition, the authors wish to thank Sarah Collier for her assistance with SAS programming.

Disclaimer The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Preventive Medicine Residency, Office of Workforce and Career Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, MS E-92, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA

    Mary Dott

  2. National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Sonja A. Rasmussen & Jennita Reefhuis

  3. Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Carol J. Hogue

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  1. Mary Dott
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National Birth Defects Prevention Study

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Correspondence to Mary Dott.

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Dott, M., Rasmussen, S.A., Hogue, C.J. et al. Association Between Pregnancy Intention and Reproductive-health Related Behaviors Before and After Pregnancy Recognition, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2002. Matern Child Health J 14, 373–381 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-009-0458-1

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