Lifestyle and Psychological Factors of Women with Pregnancy Intentions Who Become Pregnant: Analysis of a Longitudinal Cohort of Australian Women

Preconception lifestyle and psychological factors are associated with maternal and offspring outcomes. Both are important considerations for women planning pregnancy. The aim of this study was to explore associations between lifestyle/psychological factors and long-term pregnancy intentions in women who go on to become pregnant. Data from the cohort born 1973–1978 from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health were utilised. Women were included if they had a new pregnancy occurring between Waves 3 and 5, resulting in 2203 women for analysis. Long-term pregnancy intentions (aspirations for children in 5–10 years), demographic, anthropometric, lifestyle (sedentary behaviour, physical activity, diet quality, smoking, alcohol use), and psychological factors (depression, anxiety, stress) were assessed at Wave 3. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to evaluate the associations between pregnancy intentions and lifestyle/psychological factors, adjusting for other explanatory variables. Younger age and being married were associated positively with pregnancy intentions, while living with obesity was associated negatively with pregnancy intentions. No lifestyle or psychological factors were significantly associated with pregnancy intentions. Our findings highlight potential opportunities to identify women who have longer-term pregnancy intentions during clinical care, offering a pivotal moment for preconception care relating to lifestyle health, psychological wellbeing, and family planning.