I know i’m not meant to ‘diet’ but is it ok to lose a few pounds while pregnant?: a qualitative analysis of Mumsnet discussion forum posts to understand women’s experiences of and views on weight and weight management while living with excess weight

Analysing posts on Mumsnet provided insight into the relatively underreported intention of trying to lose weight while pregnant which is not endorsed by clinical guidelines. It also highlighted the potential for online forums to promote these unendorsed practices. Maternity care professionals should be aware of this and use their encounters with women to discourage intentional weight loss while pregnant. Users under consultant-led care felt that their concerns about their weight were minimised by professionals. Support such as regular weighing was desired but not often provided. Future studies should explore how these aspects of care can be improved.