Do Pregnant Women Perceive Being Counseled About Nutrition by Healthcare Providers? A Cross-Sectional Study of the Recall and Satisfaction of Nutrition Counseling of Patients Throughout the Course of Their Pregnancy

Abstract

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics identifies a balanced diet and appropriate weight gain as two important components of a healthy pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the recall of pregnant women about nutrition counseling provided by their healthcare provider during their pregnancy. We conducted an anonymous, voluntary survey using online software for women who had recently given birth and were less than 2 weeks postpartum. Discrete variables were analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. Analyses were carried out using R statistical software. Differences were considered statistically significant at P < .05. Of 201 postpartum women surveyed, 100 (49.8%) recall receiving nutrition counseling during pregnancy, while 101 (50.2%) did not recall receiving nutrition counseling. Notably, 73% of women who were counseled about nutrition during pregnancy changed their behavior based on provider advice. These findings suggest that approximately half of women polled recall receiving nutrition counseling during the pregnancy, and that there are crucial opportunities for providers to influence positive behavior change in their patients. Additional research is needed to determine perceptions of providers’ counseling and potential needs in providers’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward nutrition counseling, particularly across different demographic groups and social determinants of health.