A healthy weight can reduce risks in pregnancy Many women fail to get proper advice on weight management during and after pregnancy, a UK-wide survey suggests.
Some 63% said their midwife had not explained obesity issues such as body mass index during their first antenatal appointment.
The poll of 6,226 women also found that six out of 10 felt pressurised by celebrity culture to lose weight quickly after giving birth.
They were surveyed by the Royal College of Midwives and website Netmums.
Obese, pregnant women run a greater risk of developing conditions such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes.
They are also more likely to experience miscarriages, difficult deliveries, pre-term births and caesarean sections.
The survey found almost half the women who responded were worried about their weight during pregnancy.
But many appeared to be confused about what their correct weight should be, and significant numbers worried unnecessarily that their weight might cause problems giving birth.
As well as missing out on obesity advice during pregnancy, nine out of 10 said that after giving birth they had had no opportunity to discuss their concerns with their midwife.
Overall, 84% said the general advice they received from midwives on weight management was not good.
Nearly three-quarters (73%) of those who responded said the NHS should provide midwife-led antenatal classes specifically to address healthy eating and weight management.
The survey also suggested that lack of care had damaged many mothers’ self-esteem. When asked how they felt about their body while pregnant, comments ranged from “disgusting” to “fat, ugly and big”.
‘Wake-up call’
Sally Russell, a co-founder of Netmums.com, said: “The results from this survey are a wake-up call to midwives to support women better throughout their pregnancy and inform them of their options.”
Cathy Warwick, RCM general secretary, said good advice on weight management was vital, both to ensure that women kept as healthy as possible during pregnancy, and to avoid the risks being exaggerated.
But she said midwives did not seem to have enough time to discuss concerns with mothers-to-be.
She called on NHS Trusts to make sure resources were made available to ensure women got the advice and support they needed.
About half of women of childbearing age are either overweight or obese, with levels rising.
The health watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence put out guidance in July encouraging women in England to attain a healthy weight before they get pregnant.
A Department of Health spokesman said: “We know it’s crucial that mothers get the support they need before, during and after birth and we are working with the Royal College of Midwives, the NHS and others to make this happen.
“Obesity can have serious consequences for mothers and babies. Women need information, education and support at every opportunity.
“Health visitors have a key role in making sure that all mothers and babies get advice about what to eat, exercise and lifestyle. We are committed to recruiting an extra 4,200 health visitors who will be able to give professional support to women and we are currently exploring with the profession how best to achieve this.”
In 2009 there were 26,678 full-time equivalent midwives in the UK.
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