The healthy eating and lifestyle in pregnancy (HELP) feasibility study

Obesity and excess gestational weight gain (GWG) are linked to increased complications during pregnancy, birth and postpartum.<p></p> This study aimed to explore the feasibility of group-based weight management for obese pregnant women. At booking, pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2 were invited to weekly weight management groups, facilitated by a midwife and Slimming World consultant, providing diet and lifestyle, goal setting and general pregnancy advice. Attendance was until 6 weeks postpartum. 148 women with a mean age of 32 years (5.3 SD) and BMI of 37.4 kg/m2 (5.5 SD) attended. 85% (n=126) went to >3 and 65% (n=96) >6 sessions. The mean birth weight for 132 newborns was 3.53 kg (0.49 SD) and for the 39 women losing weight, 3.59 kg (0.35 SD). Of the 132 births, 48% were spontaneous vaginal delivery; 89% (115) initiated breastfeeding; 70% were still breastfeeding 28 days post-delivery.<p></p> The healthy eating and lifestyle in pregnancy (HELP) group proved to be an acceptable intervention providing women with the ability to control weight gain during pregnancy, as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle postpartum. Although the study was underpowered and exploratory, restricting GWG did not have a negative impact on the birth weights or other birth outcomes. Indeed, more babies were born in the healthy weight range to those women who lost weight during pregnancy