A Pilot Trial of a Health Promotion and Illness Prevention Paradigm in the Perinatal Period

Objectives This is a pilot study of the Vermont Family Based Approach, an innovative health promotion program designed to address behavioral health prevention in primary care, adapted for perinatal women. We aimed to determine the acceptability of the intervention across socioeconomic strata, and to identify if participation improves perinatal mental health. Methods Recruitment occurred at a general obstetrics practice. Women 12–25 weeks gestation were paired with a wellness coach who administered a wellness assessment and used motivational interviewing to facilitate individualized plans based on evidence-based domains of health promotion. Participants were offered access to free, co-located wellness activities through the peripartum, and referred to behavioral health services if appropriate. Results 93 women consented; 16 Medicaid Insured women (MI) and 30 Privately Insured (PI) were randomized to the intervention. Of all activities, yoga and parenting activities were most appealing, with 58% of women attending. PI (M = 12.30, SD = 11.71) attended significantly more activities than MI (M = 3.81, SD = 12.30; p = .001). Trauma exposure was inversely associated with attendance (p = .004). Randomization to the intervention was not associated with improvements in internalizing symptoms or perceived stress at 12 months postpartum, however, attending three or more wellness activities was associated with a decrease in perceived stress between baseline and 12 months postpartum. Conclusion This program appeared acceptable and engaging to women with private insurance, but less so with Medicaid. The trial failed to demonstrate improvement in internalizing scores, but of those randomized to the intervention, higher engagement was associated with decreased stress one year after giving birth.