Weight-Management Information Needs of Postpartum Women

Abstract

Postpartum hospital nurses are in a unique position to provide high-quality information with strategies for managing postpartum loss of gestational weight. Provision of high-quality online or print information can provide the foundation for successful weight-management support for prevention of gestational weight retention and long-term maintenance of a healthy weight.

Systematic review of lifestyle interventions to limit postpartum weight retention: implications for future opportunities to prevent maternal overweight and obesity following childbirth

“…This systematic review presents a summary of lifestyle interventions aimed at decreasing maternal PPWR, showing that while this outcome is possible, many uncertainties remain as to the most effective approach in supporting women to lose weight during this life stage. The unique period following childbirth has been described as an ideal stage in which to engage with women in promoting healthy weight attainment and is an important time for altering long‐term obesity risk for mothers experiencing PPWR. However, studies targeting healthy maternal weight during the postpartum have been varied in their intervention setting, delivery method and intervention components, recruitment time and assessment of anthropometric outcomes.…”

“…Results showed that the majority (89%) of women reported receiving no weight loss nor physical activity advice (77%) during the postpartum period . In a separate study of 179 women, at 4 months postpartum, half (53%) of normal weight women, 79% of overweight women and 81% of obese women reported plans to seek weight loss information, despite 85% of the women overall having received no weight loss information from healthcare providers . Therefore, the postpartum period might be considered a missed opportunity for clinically guided weight management.…”

An evaluation of the impact of lifestyle interventions on body weight in postpartum women: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…The increased participation also resulted in more than twice as much weight loss in the telephone‐delivered program. We know postpartum women are ready and motivated to lose weight . However, the competing postpartum demands such as time pressure, tiredness or fatigue, newborn childcare, other family commitments, change in priorities, and the lack of social support can reduce a mother's ability to engage in lifestyle behavior change .…”

“…We know postpartum women are ready and motivated to lose weight. [60][61][62][63] However, the competing postpartum demands such as time pressure, tiredness or fatigue, newborn childcare, other family commitments, change in priorities, and the lack of social support can reduce a mother's ability to engage in lifestyle behavior change. 55,60,62 Wide ranges of attrition rates in existing RCTs (0%-42%) suggest considerable barriers exist for postpartum mothers, but no RCTs in the current review focused on addressing these barriers to participation.…”

e‐Health and new moms: Contextual factors associated with sources of health information

“…E-Health-the delivery of health care services and information via internet and related technologies-may fill information needs mothers confront during this transition (Eysenbach, 2001). Those needs include postpartum depression, weight retention, parenting, and other concerns (Kanotra et al, 2007;Ohlendorf, Weiss, & Ryan, 2012). These and other topics are gaps in health care of postpartum women (Sword & Watt, 2005;Walker, Murphey, & Xie, 2016).…”