Changing behaviour in pregnant women: a scoping review

Improving health and wellbeing is a major goal in healthcare all over the world (WHO, 2015). Midwives and other healthcare professionals play a key role in educating women about healthy pregnancies (WHO, 2013a). During the course of pregnancy, women may experience a variety of psychological changes, including developing the motivation to change their lifestyle habits (Lindqvist et al., 2017). To support “behaviour change through a life-course approach” and to implement the WHO strategy for strengthening nursing and midwifery towards the achievement of the “Health 2020” goals (WHO, 2015, p.4), it is important for healthcare professionals to increase their knowledge of behaviour change programmes (BCPs) during pregnancy.

Conceptualising women's perinatal well-being: A systematic review of theoretical discussions

Over the last two decades there has been an increasing interest in well-being as a focus of policy, practice and research. There is general agreement that well-being takes a more holistic approach and focuses not simply on the absence of illness. In its constitution, the World Health Organisation defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. However, the concept of well-being still remains poorly defined and frequently appears to be used at a superficial level as ‘health and well-being’ to cover a wide range of concepts.

The association between breastfeeding and attachment: A systematic review

Breastfeeding has multiple positive outcomes on child health, including benefits for the immune system, protection against sudden infant death, and prevention of early infections, diseases and obesity (Dieterich et al., 2013; Duijts et al., 2009; Hoddinott et al., 2008; Xanthou, 1998). The World Health Organization therefore recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life (World Health Organization, 2011). While the majority of research has focused on the physiological benefits of breastfeeding, potential psychological benefits have been studied less often (Else-Quest et al., 2003; Schmied et al., 2001).