Managing Gestational Weight Gain: Obstetricians’ Perceived Barriers and Interventions

Abstract

To support optimal health outcomes during pregnancy, understanding obstetricians’ (OBs) recommendations for and barriers to managing gestational weight gain (GWG) can benefit childbirth educators. This mailed survey examined OBs’ practices ( n = 63) for managing GWG along with perceived barriers. The most frequent recommendations were (a) increase activity (76.2%), (b) aerobic activity (63.5%), (c) patient education about weight management (61.9%), (d) increase fiber intake (61.3%), and (e) use of guidelines for weight gain (58.7%). Self-tracking weight gain charts were the least used. Greatest barriers to GWG management were (a) patients not interested in changing behavior (77.8%), (b) high relapse rates (66.7%), (c) lack of community resources (60.3%), (d) patients cannot afford referrals (58.7%), and (e) lack of time (53.9%).