Gestational Weight Gain Counseling Insights from Healthcare Providers and Saudi Women: Riyadh Mother and Baby Follow-Up Study (RAHMA Explore).

ABSTRACT: Background: Monitoring and managing gestational weight gain (GWG) during antenatal care (ANC) is linked to better maternal and neonatal outcomes. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines are based on pre-pregnancy BMI and reduce obstetric risks. Pregnant women's views and healthcare providers' (HCPs) practices are key to effective GWG counseling. This study aims to: (1) investigate the proportion of women who received GWG advice per IOM guidelines, and (2) explore HCP practices and views on GWG counseling. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of Saudi pregnant women who delivered within one year of the study and HCPs who provided ANC. Women provided data on demographics, pre-pregnancy BMI, recall of GWG advice, and their target GWG. HCPs rated their knowledge and counse

SUBMITTER: Fayed A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12897361 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature