Supporting healthy weight gain and management in pregnancy: Does a mandatory training education session improve knowledge and confidence of midwives?

OBJECTIVE

To examine if a brief midwifery education and training session incorporated into annual mandatory training improves the knowledge and confidence of midwives to support healthy weight gain and management in pregnancy.

DESIGN

An implementation evaluation using a pre-post study design was used. Midwives completed a self- administered questionnaire prior to and following completion of the training session. Objective knowledge, perceived knowledge and confidence in relation to nutrition, physical activity and healthy weight gain and management, and process measures related to the training were assessed.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

All midwives from a tertiary birthing hospital in Brisbane Australia who attended the annual mandatory training day in 2015 were invited to participate.

MEASUREMENT AND FINDINGS

Of the 270 midwives who attended the training 154 pre and 114 post training questionnaires were returned. An increase in perceived knowledge across topic areas was reported by 70-97% of respondents, while perceived confidence increased for 83-91% of respondents across each topic area. Objective knowledge score increased from 11 pre-training to 15 post training (maximum score 17) (p < 0.001). Ninety six percent of respondents agreed the training provided practical communication strategies and 100% would recommend the training to others.

KEY CONCLUSIONS

This brief education session integrated into an existing mandatory training program, improved the knowledge and confidence of midwives in delivering advice and support for healthy pregnancy weight gain.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

This improvement is the first step in changing practice to prevent excess weight gain during the antenatal period. This program offers an innovative model to support midwives implement change across other health services. A low cost intervention that was well received by midwives can address identified barriers to the provision of best practice care that supports a healthy pregnancy weight gain in a sustainable forum.