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Perinatal Outcomes and Satisfaction with Care in Women with High Body Mass Index
Author(s) -
Hildingsson Ingegerd,
Thomas Jan
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of midwifery and women's health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.543
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1542-2011
pISSN - 1526-9523
DOI - 10.1111/j.1542-2011.2011.00141.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pregnancy , childbirth , prenatal care , body mass index , obstetrics , feeling , family medicine , population , psychology , environmental health , social psychology , genetics , pathology , biology
The majority of studies on pregnant women with high body mass index (BMI) have focused on medical complications and birth outcome, rather than these women's encounters with health care providers. The aims were to identify the proportion of pregnant women with high BMIs (≥30); compare maternal characteristics and pregnancy and birth outcomes; and assess the experiences of prenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care in women with high (≥30) and lower (<30) BMIs. Methods: Data were collected through questionnaires and antenatal records from 919 women recruited in mid‐pregnancy at 3 hospitals in the north of Sweden, with a follow‐up questionnaire 2 months after birth. Results: The prevalence of obesity was 15.2%. Women with high BMIs were more often aged 35 years or older and less likely to have a university education. They had more negative attitudes regarding being pregnant and reported more childbirth fear compared to women with lower BMIs, but they did not differ in regard to their feelings about the approaching birth or the first weeks with the newborn. They reported more pregnancy complications and had less continuity of caregiver. High BMI was associated with labor induction and emergency cesarean birth. No differences were found in birth complications; birth experience; or satisfaction with prenatal, intrapartum, or postnatal care. Discussion: The findings reveal that women who are obese have more complicated pregnancies and births but are generally satisfied with the care they receive. There are some differences in the way they experience care. Health care providers have a delicate task to provide sufficient information about health risks while still offering respect, encouragement, and support.