title: The perspectives of obese women receiving antenatal care: A qualitative study of women's experiences.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing amongst women of child bearing age. Maternal obesity has implications for both mother and baby including increased health risks from gestational hypertensive disorders, caesarean section and stillbirth. Despite the increasing prevalence of maternal obesity little is known of the experiences of these women within the health care system. The aim of this research was to investigate the perspectives of pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30kg/m(2) receiving antenatal care.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study using individual interviews was undertaken. Sixteen pregnant women with a BMI ≥30kg/m(2) participated. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, cross checked for consistency and then entered into a word processing document for analysis. Data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. In any phenomenological study the researcher's objective is to elicit the participant's views on their lived experiences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four major themes emerged: (1) obese during pregnancy as part of a long history of obesity; (2) lack of knowledge of the key complications of obesity for both mother and child; (3) communication about weight and gestational weight gain can be conflicting, confusing and judgmental; (4) most women are motivated to eat well during pregnancy and want help to do so.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Specialist lifestyle interventions for obese women should be a priority in antenatal care. Extra support is required to assist obese women in pregnancy achieve recommended nutritional and weight goals. Health professionals should approach the issue of maternal obesity in an informative but non-judgmental way.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Public Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Health, The University of Canberra, University Drive, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia. Electronic address: Cathy.Knight-Agarwal@canberra.edu.au.
authors.forename: Catherine R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Knight-Agarwal
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Parklands Drive, Southport, QLD 4215, Australia.
authors.forename: Lauren T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, The University of Canberra, University Drive, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Centre for Action and Research in Public Health, Faculty of Health, The University of Canberra, University Drive, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Public Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Health, The University of Canberra, University Drive, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Public Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Health, The University of Canberra, University Drive, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Downing
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Public Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Health, The University of Canberra, University Drive, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lawson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008019:Life Style; D009035:Mothers; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: High BMI; Phenomenology; Pregnancy; Qualitative study; Women's health