Weight gain in pregnancy: a survey of current practices in a teaching hospital

One hundred and three obstetric and midwifery staff at a university teaching hospital were surveyed about knowledge and practices with regard to counselling women about appropriate gestational weight gain. Seventy-seven percent of staff reported advising women about weight gain in pregnancy under some circumstances, but only 22% set specific weight or weight gain targets. Seventy-nine percent of staff considered their training in this aspect of antenatal care to be inadequate. Further education and support of medical and nursing staff are needed to ensure guidelines for weight management in pregnancy are optimally implemented.