Maternal obesity and healthcare experiences: perceptions and challenges in prenatal and postpartum care

Prenatal care for women living with obesity constitutes a significant healthcare challenge, often compromised by inconsistent and adverse experiences. This research aimed to explore how pregnant and postpartum women with obesity in Brazil perceive the healthcare they receive. Through a qualitative field study employing netnographic methods and the 'Collective Subject Discourse' technique, we examined testimonies from 149 participants. Our findings reveal contrasting experiences: while 52.7% reported positive interactions, valuing respect and empathy, a substantial 47.3% encountered substandard care characterized by weight-based stigma and insufficient information. The research highlights inconsistencies in prenatal healthcare services and emphasizes the critical need to integrate anti-stigma approaches and humanized care practices.