Pregnancy intention, receipt of pre-conception care, and pre-conception weight counseling reported by overweight and obese women in late pregnancy

Abstract

We surveyed overweight or obese women receiving prenatal care for a singleton pregnancy at a large academic medical center in 2010. During late pregnancy, women reported pregnancy intentionality and pre-conception weight counseling. Participants (N = 82) had a mean age of 29.7 (SD: 6.3) years, 61% were non-Hispanic white, 47% were nulliparous. Before pregnancy, 45% were overweight and 55% were obese. Forty-eight percent reported that the current pregnancy was planned. Of these women, 36% reported a pre-conception visit. Of these, 29% reported pre-conception weight counseling (5% of sample). Unrealized opportunities exist in the clinical setting for promoting weight management during the childbearing years.

Keywords: Body weight; Preconception care; Pregnancy.