Researchers looked at conversations on a popular UK parenting website to understand how pregnant women and new mothers think about weight and dieting. They found that many women don’t know the official guidelines about how much weight to gain during pregnancy, and some are trying to lose weight while pregnant—something doctors don’t recommend. The study also showed that some women felt their doctors weren’t taking their weight concerns seriously. This research highlights the need for better communication between doctors and pregnant women about healthy weight management.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How pregnant and new mothers talk about their weight, dieting, and weight loss on an online discussion forum, and what they think about managing their weight during and after pregnancy.
  • Who participated: 113 posts from women on Mumsnet (a UK parenting website) who were pregnant or had given birth within the past year and reported having excess weight. The study looked at posts from July 2021 to March 2022.
  • Key finding: Many pregnant women are trying to lose weight during pregnancy, even though doctors say this isn’t safe. Most women didn’t know the recommended amount of weight to gain during pregnancy, and some felt their doctors weren’t listening to their weight concerns.
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about healthy weight gain during pregnancy rather than trying to lose weight. If you feel your concerns aren’t being heard, it’s okay to ask for a second opinion or request more support from your healthcare team.

The Research Details

Researchers collected posts from Mumsnet, a popular UK parenting discussion forum, over a 9-month period. They looked for posts where women talked about their experiences with weight, dieting, or exercise during pregnancy or within one year after giving birth. They found 113 posts that matched their criteria.

Instead of doing a traditional experiment, the researchers read through all the posts carefully and looked for common themes and patterns in what women were saying. This type of research is called qualitative analysis—it focuses on understanding people’s experiences and thoughts rather than measuring numbers.

The researchers organized the posts into three main themes: what women intended to do about their weight, the strategies they tried and challenges they faced, and how they felt about their interactions with doctors and healthcare providers.

This research method is valuable because it lets researchers hear directly from women about their real experiences and concerns. Online forums show what women actually think and worry about, not just what they might tell a doctor. This helps researchers understand the gap between what doctors recommend and what women are actually doing or thinking about doing.

This study is based on real conversations from women, which makes it authentic. However, the posts come from one website (Mumsnet), so the women may not represent all pregnant women—they tend to be more educated and have internet access. The researchers didn’t interview the women directly, so they couldn’t ask follow-up questions. The study is small (113 posts) and focuses on one country (UK), so the findings may not apply everywhere.

What the Results Show

The research revealed three main findings. First, many pregnant women were trying to lose weight during pregnancy, even though medical guidelines say this isn’t recommended. These women often didn’t know the official guidelines about how much weight is healthy to gain during pregnancy, and they received conflicting advice from different sources.

Second, women shared many different strategies they tried to manage their weight, such as exercising, changing what they ate, or tracking their weight. However, they also faced real challenges, like feeling tired during pregnancy, struggling to exercise safely, and finding it hard to lose weight after the baby was born.

Third, women had mixed experiences with their doctors and healthcare providers. Some women felt that their concerns about their weight were ignored or dismissed by healthcare professionals, especially those who were seeing specialists (consultant-led care). Many women wanted regular weight checks and more support, but didn’t receive it.

The study also found that online forums like Mumsnet may actually encourage women to try weight loss during pregnancy by sharing stories and tips about dieting while pregnant. This is concerning because it spreads practices that doctors don’t recommend. The research showed that women wanted more guidance and support from healthcare providers about managing their weight safely during and after pregnancy.

This study adds important new information about something that hasn’t been studied much before—the fact that some pregnant women are intentionally trying to lose weight, which goes against medical recommendations. Previous research has focused more on weight gain during pregnancy, but this study highlights an unexpected behavior that healthcare providers should be aware of. The finding that women feel their concerns are dismissed by doctors connects to other research showing that healthcare communication could be improved.

The study only looked at posts from one UK website, so the women may not represent all pregnant women everywhere. The researchers couldn’t ask follow-up questions or get more details from the women. The posts were written by women who chose to share online, so they may not represent women who don’t use forums. The study is relatively small and focuses on a specific time period, so the findings might be different at other times or in other countries.

The Bottom Line

Healthcare providers should talk with pregnant women about healthy weight gain and discourage intentional weight loss during pregnancy. Women should ask their doctors about safe weight management during and after pregnancy rather than relying on online forums for advice. Healthcare providers should take women’s weight concerns seriously and offer regular support and monitoring. (Confidence level: Moderate—based on what women reported, though this is a small study from one website.)

Pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant should care about this research. Healthcare providers, especially those who work with pregnant women, should be aware that some women are trying to lose weight during pregnancy and should address this. Women who have given birth recently and are struggling with weight loss should also find this helpful. This research is less relevant for women who are not pregnant or planning pregnancy.

Healthy weight management during pregnancy is a gradual process. You shouldn’t expect to lose weight while pregnant—healthy weight gain is normal. After pregnancy, it typically takes 6-12 months to lose pregnancy weight, and some women find it takes longer. Talk with your doctor about realistic timelines for your situation.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your weekly weight gain during pregnancy (not weight loss) and compare it to your doctor’s recommendations for your situation. Record any questions or concerns about weight that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider at your next appointment.
  • Instead of trying to lose weight during pregnancy, focus on eating nutritious foods, staying active as approved by your doctor, and attending all prenatal appointments. After pregnancy, use the app to track healthy eating and gentle exercise as cleared by your doctor, with a goal of gradual weight loss over several months.
  • Log your healthcare provider conversations about weight management. Track your mood and energy levels alongside any weight changes. Set reminders to discuss weight concerns with your doctor at each visit rather than seeking advice only from online forums.

This research describes what women discussed on an online forum and does not provide medical advice. Pregnant women should not attempt to lose weight during pregnancy without explicit guidance from their healthcare provider. Weight management during and after pregnancy is individual and depends on many factors including pre-pregnancy weight, health conditions, and pregnancy complications. Always consult with your doctor or midwife before making any changes to diet or exercise during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you feel your healthcare provider is not addressing your concerns, seek a second opinion from another qualified healthcare professional.