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Obesity

Beyond body mass index: a synthesis of lifestyle factors that may influence in vitro fertilisation outcomes

The impact of alcohol consumption on in vitro fertilisation outcomes has been assessed in several studies (Firns et al, 2015; Chandravati and Tripathi, 2021; Rao et al, 2022). Consensus among these...

The lived experience of staff caring for women in labour who have a BMI ≥40 kg/m2

The aim of this study was to explore and better understand the experiences of staff who provide care for obese women in labour..

Obesity matters: the skills that strengthen midwifery practice when caring for obese pregnant women

Community midwives who took part in this study are based in various health centres and GP surgeries, and ensure that every woman in every geographical area has access to midwifery services.

Temporal trend of early pregnancy high body mass index in Australian women: risk factors and outcomes

High body mass index (BMI) is currently the world's most common health problem. From 1980–2015, the prevalence of higher than normal BMI has doubled worldwide and has increased continuously in most...

Diet and physical activity in pregnancy: a study exploring women's beliefs and behaviours

In the UK, 19% of women of childbearing age are reported to be obese (BMI >30kg/m2) and 26% are reported to be overweight (BMI >25kg/m2) (Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2016) Being obese...

Managing gestational diabetes mellitus: Audit data of outcomes for women and neonates

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance, increased insulin resistance and usually occurring in the second trimester of pregnancy (HAPO Study Cooperative Research Group,...

Weight management during teenage pregnancy: Issues to consider when developing appropriate support

Teenage pregnancy rates continue to decline in England, and are now at their lowest level since 1969 (Office for National Statistics, 2017) While this is heralded as a success, under-18 conception...

Gestational diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disorder in which insulin production or action is insufficient, resulting in hyperglycaemia Insulin is produced in pancreatic beta (b) cells and is required for the...

Bump Start: developing and piloting a healthy living group intervention for obese pregnant women

Maternal obesity (a body mass index (BMI) of 30kg/m2 or higher at the first antenatal consultation) is a key modifiable risk factor in pregnancy The health problems linked to maternal BMI for both...

Factors influencing engagement in postnatal weight management and weight and wellbeing outcomes

Of the four million women who give birth in the USA each year, almost 30% gain more weight than recommended by the Institute of Medicine guidelines (Rasmussen and Yaktine, 2009) It has been...

Should midwives consider associated psychological factors when caring for women who are obese?

According to the Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries (CMACE, 2010: xiii), ‘obesity is arguably the biggest challenge facing maternity services today’ Obesity is defined as having a body mass index...

Teaching about obesity: Caring, compassion, communication and courage in midwifery education

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are tasked with equipping newly qualified midwives with the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to care for pregnant women This includes being able to...

Diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus in women following bariatric surgery: A national survey of lead diabetes midwives

In the UK, approximately one fifth of women aged 16–40 years are obese (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2) and half of all women are either obese or overweight (Buchwald et al, 2009) Obesity is a...

Supporting the individual needs of obese pregnant women: Effects of risk-management processes

Rates of obesity worldwide have doubled in the past 30 years (World Health Organization (WHO), 2013) and obesity in the UK is reaching epidemic levels The Health and Social Care Information Centre...

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