Healthy Expectations

Study Information

Feelings of stress, sadness, and worry are common during pregnancy, affecting many women. The Healthy Expectations Prenatal Wellness Program may help.

Researchers at Butler and Women & Infants' Hospitals are conducting a study examining two prenatal programs to see whether they help improve mood and feelings of well-being during pregnancy.

Eligible women are randomly assigned to one of these 10-week programs:

Involves a gentle walking program with support and encouragement from a trained professional every 2 weeks to help increase daily physical activity. Women in this program wear a small activity monitor daily to track activity levels and keep a written log of their walking behavior.

Involves attending a series of individual sessions every 2 weeks focused on promoting good health for moms and babies in the first postpartum year. Topics include: keeping yourself healthy as your family grows, child development in the first year, and caring for a newborn. Study appointments are scheduled at your convenience.

Feelings of stress, sadness, and worry are common during pregnancy, affecting many women. We are committed to learning more about the strategies that will help decrease anxiety and improve mood in pregnant women, such as increasing physical activity or learning more about what to expect during the baby’s first year.

Eligibility Criteria

• You are 18 years of age or older.
• You are between 12 and 26 weeks pregnant.
• You have been feeling stressed, sad, or worried during the current pregnancy.