Volume 27, Issue 2, June 2014, Pages 138–144
The views and attitudes of health professionals providing antenatal care to women with a high BMI: A qualitative research study
Abstract
Background
The
prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing amongst women of
child bearing age. The objective of this study was to investigate the
views and attitudes of providers of antenatal care for women who have a
body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 and over.
Methods
A
qualitative study using focus groups was undertaken within the
department of obstetrics and gynaecology at a large teaching hospital in
south-eastern Australia. Three focus group discussions were held. One
with hospital midwives (n = 10), one with continuity of care midwives (n = 18) and one with obstetricians (n = 5). Data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).
Findings
Six
dominant themes emerged: (1) obesity puts the health of mothers, babies
and health professionals at risk; (2) overweight and obesity has become
the norm; (3) weighing women and advising about weight gain is out of
fashion; (4) weight is a sensitive topic to discuss; (5) there are
significant barriers to weight control in pregnancy; and (6) health
professionals and women need to deal with maternal obesity. These themes
are drawn together to form a model representing current health care
issues for these women.
Conclusion
Health
professionals, who have a high BMI, can find it difficult to discuss
obesity during antenatal visits with obese women. Specialist dietary
interventions and evidence based guidelines for working with
child-bearing women is seen as a public health priority by health care
professionals.
Keywords
- Obesity;
- Maternity care;
- Women's health;
- Pregnancy;
- Qualitative study
