D Smith1, T Lavender. 1. The School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. debbie.smith-2@manchester.ac.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Maternal obesity (body mass index, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) ) is a global public health issue. There is a dearth of evidence regarding an effective maternal care pathway for pregnant women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2). OBJECTIVES: This meta-synthesis aims to increase our understanding of the maternity experience for pregnant women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2). SEARCH STRATEGY: Six electronic databases were searched using predefined search terms. SELECTION CRITERIA: English-language studies using qualitative data to explore the maternity experience for women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) were included (defined by a quality appraisal framework). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: An interpretative approach was taken and the constructivist framework was central to the synthesis. Searches were conducted in September 2010, and resulted in six papers being synthesised. MAIN RESULTS: Three cluster themes (eight initial themes) were highlighted: acceptance and inevitability of weight gain in pregnancy; depersonalisation of care as a result of medicalisation; and healthy lifestyle benefits for self and baby. AUTHOR'S CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy is an ideal period for health professionals to intervene, as women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) perceive their weight as more acceptable than when they were not pregnant, and are aware of the benefits of having a healthy lifestyle. Antenatal care should include postnatal weight management advice, as this is the period when women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) want to lose weight; this may enable subsequent pregnancies to start with a lower BMI. Such advice should be sensitive and tailored to the individual. Social representations theory provides a framework for understanding maternal obesity.
BACKGROUND:Maternal obesity (body mass index, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) ) is a global public health issue. There is a dearth of evidence regarding an effective maternal care pathway for pregnant women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2). OBJECTIVES: This meta-synthesis aims to increase our understanding of the maternity experience for pregnant women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2). SEARCH STRATEGY: Six electronic databases were searched using predefined search terms. SELECTION CRITERIA: English-language studies using qualitative data to explore the maternity experience for women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) were included (defined by a quality appraisal framework). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: An interpretative approach was taken and the constructivist framework was central to the synthesis. Searches were conducted in September 2010, and resulted in six papers being synthesised. MAIN RESULTS: Three cluster themes (eight initial themes) were highlighted: acceptance and inevitability of weight gain in pregnancy; depersonalisation of care as a result of medicalisation; and healthy lifestyle benefits for self and baby. AUTHOR'S CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy is an ideal period for health professionals to intervene, as women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) perceive their weight as more acceptable than when they were not pregnant, and are aware of the benefits of having a healthy lifestyle. Antenatal care should include postnatal weight management advice, as this is the period when women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) want to lose weight; this may enable subsequent pregnancies to start with a lower BMI. Such advice should be sensitive and tailored to the individual. Social representations theory provides a framework for understanding maternal obesity.
Authors: Katie O Washington Cole; Kimberly A Gudzune; Sara N Bleich; Lawrence J Cheskin; Wendy L Bennett; Lisa A Cooper; Debra L Roter Journal: Patient Educ Couns Date: 2016-12-27