The experience of pregnant women with a body mass index >30 kg/m² of their encounters with healthcare professionals

OBJECTIVE: To examine the experience of women with a pre-pregnant BMI >30 kg/m², in their encounters with healthcare professionals during pregnancy.

DESIGN: Qualitative study using a phenomenological methodology approach.

SETTING: Face-to-face interviews with pregnant women in their own home who were referred from their general practitioner to specialist antenatal follow-up at their local hospital.

SAMPLE: Sixteen women with pre-pregnant BMI >30 kg/m².

METHODS: Qualitative in-depth interviews. Participant's experiences of their encounters with health care professionals were recorded verbatim, transcribed and analysed using a phenomenological approach.

RESULTS: Two main themes were identified, an accusatorial response from healthcare professionals and a lack of advice and helpful information on how being obese and pregnant might affect the women's health and that of their child.

CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women with obesity may experience prejudice from healthcare professionals. These women felt they were treated with a lack of respect, an accusatorial response, and the feeling that information which could have been helpful was not forthcoming. Communication between obese pregnant woman and healthcare professionals appears to be lacking. Improved training in communication skills, less judgemental behaviour and better dissemination of information from healthcare professionals working with pregnant women with obesity are needed.