Westerholm, I. (2011). Gravidas hälsovanor. Hälsopedagogiska programmet. Akademin för hälsa och arbetsliv, Högskolan i Gävle.
This study aimed to investigate whether pregnant women change their health habits following recommendations and, if so, find out where they get this information from. Nineteen respondents participated in the study which was a non-random sample of pregnant women or women who were pregnant in the recent past, ranging from nine weeks of pregnancy to a mother who had her baby 17 months ago. Open-ended questions were answered and the results showed that counseling on health during pregnancy took place during the first visit to the maternal health care center. The main advice given regarded the foods women should avoid, to drink plenty of water and follow the plate model. Most respondents followed this advice carefully, more so if they were pregnant for the first time. Many participants searched more information about nutrition in pregnancy and this was mainly done through various internet sites but also through literature and acquaintances. To completely stop taking alcohol and tobacco when they found out they were pregnant was obvious to many respondents, however, there were some who felt that they could not completely resist the tobacco and went ahead anyway.
Keywords: pregnant women, health, recommendations.