Routine weighing during antenatal visits

Obesity in pregnancy: outcomes and economics

Maternal obesity is an important aspect of reproductive care. It is the commonest risk factor for maternal mortality in developed countries and is also associated with a wide spectrum of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Maternal obesity may have longer-term implications for the health of the mother and infant, which in turn will have economic implications. Efforts to prevent, manage and treat obesity in pregnancy will be costly, but may pay dividends from reduced future economic costs, and subsequent improvements to maternal and infant health. Decision-makers working in this area of health services should understand whether the problem can be reduced, at what cost; and then, what cost savings and health benefits will accrue in the future from a reduction of the problem.

A weight off my mind: the abandonment of routine antenatal weighing a change of practice research

The 50 year old tradition of routinely weighing pregnant women, which has been identified as an obsolete practice, is still practiced by many. The antenatal clinic and community midwives, and medical staff from the Division of Obstetrics (Central Coast Area Health Service) as well as pregnant women attending the clinics have been surveyed to identify the impact on implementing evidence based practice (ceasing routine antenatal weighing). Using both quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a rich and detailed picture, the outcomes showed that the importance of weighing decreased for most of pregnant women. Midwives were surprised at the women's' acceptance to the change; and both health professional groups did not feel a loss of overall care. This research suggests that organised and planned change can achieve acceptance of evidence based practice.