Associations between Partner Support and Healthy Habits during Pregnancy: Findings from the Los Angeles Mommy and Baby (LAMB) Survey

OBJECTIVE: To determine associations between partner support and maternal health habits during pregnancy. METHODS: We used data from the 2007 LAMB survey, a population-based, mail sample survey with telephone follow-up for non-respondents based on a multistage clustered design. Analyses were based on weighted responses of 6264 women with live births. Partner support was defined as a multidimensional construct based on instrumental and emotional support during pregnancy. Unhealthy habits were tobacco and alcohol use during pregnancy. Healthy habits were physical exercise in the last three months of the pregnancy and pre-pregnancy folic acid intake. The relationships between partner support and maternal habits during pregnancy were examined using Pearson's chi square tests. RESULTS: Women who had high partner support scores were more likely to start taking folic acid pre-pregnancy (OR 1.76, p<0.01) and more likely to exercise during pregnancy (OR 1.52, p<0.01). Women who had high partner support scores were also less likely to smoke (OR 0.22, p<0.01) and use alcohol during pregnancy (OR 0.75, p<0.04). Of all racial/ethnic groups, African Americans were significantly more likely than white women to report low partner support scores (OR 5.09, p<0.01). The relationship between partner support and maternal behavioral categories was strongest among African Americans. CONCLUSIONS: Racial/ethnic disparities exist in regards to partner support in pregnancy. Greater partner support is associated with healthier maternal practices and habits during pregnancy. Relationships between mothers and their partners may be utilized as a means of improving maternal habits in pregnancy.