Pregnant woman and midwife consult a weight gain chart in a prenatal clinic.

Pregnancy Weight Gain Charts: Are They Helping or Harming?

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring the effectiveness and challenges of using weight gain charts during pregnancy for better maternal health."

Maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy is crucial for both the mother and the developing baby. Excessive or insufficient gestational weight gain (GWG) can lead to various complications, including preterm birth, macrosomia, and increased risk of chronic diseases. To address this, healthcare providers often use pregnancy weight gain charts (PWGCs) to monitor and guide expectant mothers. These charts, typically based on pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), provide a visual representation of recommended weight gain ranges throughout gestation.

However, the effectiveness of PWGCs in routine antenatal care remains a topic of debate. While some studies suggest that these charts can promote healthier weight gain and improve communication between pregnant women and healthcare professionals, others highlight challenges in their implementation and usage. These challenges include inconsistent application, lack of individualized advice, and potential for causing anxiety or stigmatization.

A recent study published in Maternal and Child Nutrition sought to evaluate the integration of PWGCs into routine antenatal care in a large metropolitan birthing facility. The researchers aimed to assess healthcare professionals' attitudes and practices surrounding PWGC use, as well as pregnant women's perceptions of the charts. The findings shed light on the complexities of implementing PWGCs in real-world settings and offer valuable insights for improving maternal health outcomes.

The Promise and Pitfalls of Pregnancy Weight Gain Charts: What the Research Reveals

Pregnant woman and midwife consult a weight gain chart in a prenatal clinic.

The study involved a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews. Researchers collected data from 291 pregnant women and 42 healthcare professionals at an Australian hospital. The women completed questionnaires at 16 and 36 weeks gestation, while healthcare professionals participated in a separate survey assessing their attitudes and practices related to weight monitoring and PWGC use.

Key findings from the study revealed a mixed picture of PWGC implementation:

Inconsistent Provision: 68% of women reported receiving a PWGC at their first hospital visit, indicating that while most women got charts there was room for improvement.
Chart Errors: Among the PWGCs audited, 36% contained errors, such as incorrect weight plotting or use of the wrong chart based on pre-pregnancy BMI.
Underutilization: Only 46% of women who provided their PWGC had three or more weights plotted on the chart, suggesting infrequent use.
HCP Awareness: All surveyed healthcare professionals were aware of PWGCs, but only 63% reported using them regularly to track GWG.
Role Confusion: 26% of HCPs believed that completing the PWGC was solely the woman's responsibility, highlighting a lack of clarity regarding roles.
Training Needs: 77% of healthcare professionals expressed a need for more training in counseling pregnant women about weight management.

The qualitative data provided further insights into women's experiences with PWGCs. Some women found the charts helpful for self-monitoring and making informed dietary adjustments. Others appreciated the opportunity to discuss their weight with midwives and receive personalized advice. However, some women reported negative experiences, such as receiving the wrong chart, feeling stressed about weight gain, or encountering inconsistent monitoring practices.

Turning Insights into Action: Recommendations for Improving PWGC Implementation

The study underscores the need for a multifaceted approach to improve the implementation and effectiveness of PWGCs in routine antenatal care. This includes ensuring that all pregnant women receive a PWGC at their first visit, providing ongoing training and support for healthcare professionals, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and addressing women's concerns about weight gain and stigmatization. Ultimately, by addressing these challenges and promoting a patient-centered approach, PWGCs can be a valuable tool for promoting healthy pregnancies and improving maternal and infant health outcomes.

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Everything You Need To Know

What are Pregnancy Weight Gain Charts (PWGCs) and why are they used?

Pregnancy Weight Gain Charts (PWGCs) are visual tools healthcare providers use to monitor and guide expectant mothers' weight gain during pregnancy. These charts are typically based on pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) and provide recommended weight gain ranges throughout gestation. They are used to ensure a healthy weight gain, which is crucial for both the mother and the developing baby, helping to prevent complications like preterm birth and chronic diseases.

What does the study reveal about the implementation of Pregnancy Weight Gain Charts in antenatal care?

The study revealed several key aspects of PWGC implementation. Although 68% of women received a PWGC at their first visit, there was room for improvement. Furthermore, 36% of the charts audited contained errors, and only 46% of women had three or more weights plotted on their charts, indicating underutilization. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) were aware of the charts, but only 63% used them regularly. Additionally, some HCPs had role confusion, and many expressed a need for more training in weight management counseling. These findings highlight inconsistencies and challenges in PWGC usage within routine antenatal care.

What challenges do healthcare professionals face when using Pregnancy Weight Gain Charts?

The study highlighted several challenges. There was inconsistent provision of the charts to women. Many charts contained errors, and the charts were underutilized. Some healthcare professionals reported role confusion regarding who was responsible for completing the charts. Furthermore, a significant number of HCPs expressed the need for more training in counseling pregnant women about weight management. These challenges indicate a need for improved training, clearer guidelines, and better integration of PWGCs into antenatal care to improve their effectiveness.

How do women perceive Pregnancy Weight Gain Charts, and what are the implications?

Women's experiences with Pregnancy Weight Gain Charts were mixed. Some found the charts helpful for self-monitoring and appreciated the opportunity to discuss their weight with midwives. However, others reported negative experiences, such as receiving the wrong chart, feeling stressed about weight gain, or encountering inconsistent monitoring practices. These diverse perceptions highlight the importance of a patient-centered approach. Addressing women's concerns and providing individualized advice are crucial for improving the effectiveness of PWGCs and ensuring a positive impact on maternal health outcomes. This can prevent unnecessary anxiety and stigma.

What recommendations does the study offer to improve the implementation of Pregnancy Weight Gain Charts?

The study recommends a multifaceted approach to improve PWGC implementation. This includes ensuring all pregnant women receive a PWGC at their first visit. It is essential to provide ongoing training and support for healthcare professionals. There is a need to clarify roles and responsibilities regarding PWGC use. Addressing women's concerns about weight gain and stigmatization is also critical. Implementing these changes and promoting a patient-centered approach can make PWGCs a more valuable tool for promoting healthy pregnancies and improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Ultimately, PWGCs should be used as a part of a larger strategy to promote healthy weight gain and address the complexities of pregnancy.