Obese pregnant women's understanding of weight gain in pregnancy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Qualitative study of obese pregnant women’s understanding of weight gain in pregnancy.
IRAS ID
159712
Contact name
Carol A Richardson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bournemouth University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
Maternal obesity is a growing public health problem. It is understood that limiting weight gain in pregnancy, particularly amongst women who are obese at the beginning of their pregnancy, can reduce serious health risks to both mother and baby. At present, clear guidelines regarding weight gain in pregnancy remain absent. This study will establish what obese pregnant women understand about weight gain in pregnancy and explore some of the weight related challenges that they face.
Developing a deeper understanding of what obese pregnant women find useful and engaging as well as what they find unhelpful is essential in order to deliver optimal, cost effective and sustainable maternity services for obese women.
Semi structured interviews will be conducted with 10-15 women. Consent for the study will be sought when women are 20 weeks pregnant, but interviews will be held at 32-34 weeks to enable women to have a broad experience of many different potential influences on their weight management during their pregnancy. Women will be identified for potential entry to the study when they are 12 weeks pregnant and being weighed formally for the first time during their pregnancy, at this point they will be given information about the study. Interviews will be audio recorded and held either in the hospital or in their own home.
The chief investigator will code the qualitative data, and confirm findings with a group of experienced academic researchers/supervisors. Findings will be published in a research thesis and disseminated in academic journals/conferences.REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SC/0276
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion