Nutritional Nesting (Nestrition): Shaping the Home Food Environment in the First Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate primiparous women's knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the physical home food environment (PHFE) and to assess if the first pregnancy provides a teachable opportunity to enhance the PHFE of first-time pregnant couples.

DESIGN

Longitudinal in-depth qualitative study involving questionnaires and individual interviews during and after pregnancy.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifteen primigravida women.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors concerning PHFE; lifestyle and dietary habits; and interest in guidance regarding healthy PHFE during the first pregnancy and the transition to motherhood.

ANALYSIS

Thematic analysis for qualitative data and descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Key findings include the significance of health, nutrition, and spousal support in the transition to motherhood. The first pregnancy was recognized as a critical period for establishing a healthy PHFE, while noting the physical and emotional challenges involved. A gap was found in guidance regarding PHFE for first-time pregnant women despite their interest in practical advice.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The first pregnancy presents a significant opportunity to improve PHFE. 'Nestrition' (nutritional nesting), a new health-promotion strategy, incorporates nutrition education to enhance this process. These data support future research encompassing partners and diverse at-risk populations prior to the development of effective nutrition education for PHFE in the first pregnancy.