Objectives: The purpose of this survey was to gain insight into the status of birthing facilities across Atlantic Canada regarding obesity management. Specifically, we were interested in learning about the reported number of obese women entering birthing facilities, if body mass index (BMI) was determined from weight and height, and whether this was used to diagnose maternal obesity or not. Clinical, delivery, or equipment-related challenges and the state of existing or planned policies or guidelines specific to this high-risk population were also sought.
Methods: An online, cross-sectional survey (audit), distributed via email to key staff members at birthing facilities in Atlantic Canada, including nurse managers, nurse practitioners, registered staff nurses and obstetrician-gynecologists.
Results and conclusions: Twenty-two responses were received from 38 invitees (57% response rate), representing half the birthing facilities in Atlantic Canada. Despite the fact that the majority of facilities recorded maternal height and pre-pregnancy weight upon admission, these measurements were not used to calculate and document maternal BMI, nor to make a diagnosis of maternal obesity. More troubling, no birthing facilities in our survey had guidelines or care plans in place to deal with this high-risk population, and two-thirds of those surveyed had no plans for their creation in the near future. While maternal obesity was considered a problem, a third of respondents reported no direct access to properly sized lifts or transfer devices in their units. This study provides a useful baseline for monitoring improvements in the care of obese women giving birth in Atlantic Canada.