Prenatal Nutrition Care in Alberta: The Perspectives of Pregnant Women and Registered Dietitians
Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
22 November 2022
Abstract
Introduction: Optimizing women’s diets in pregnancy improves maternal and child health outcomes; however, the best format for supporting women’s nutrition goals in pregnancy is not clear, and access to dietetic services is not standard in prenatal care in Alberta. This study explored women’s perceptions about access to Registered Dietitians (RDs) throughout pregnancy and RDs experiences providing prenatal nutrition counselling.
Methods: Two studies were conducted. Study A: Pregnant women completed a short survey while attending a prenatal appointment in a large prenatal clinic. The survey assessed women’s perspectives about accessing dietetic services during pregnancy. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Study B: RDs participated in either a semi-structured phone interview or a focus group and described their experiences working with pregnant women. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: One hundred pregnant women completed the survey. Ninety percent indicated that they had not seen a RD at this time in pregnancy, and 48% reported that they would like to access a RD in pregnancy, if available. Dietitians discussed the diversity of women’s concerns and the challenges to providing prenatal nutrition support.
Conclusions: Women have nutrition-related questions during pregnancy. Dietitians experience challenges providing services in the current care systems.
Résumé
Introduction. Optimiser l’alimentation des femmes durant la grossesse améliore les résultats en matière de santé chez la mère et l’enfant. Toutefois, on ne connaît pas le meilleur format pour aider les femmes enceintes à atteindre leurs objectifs nutritionnels, et l’accès à des services de diététique ne fait pas partie des soins prénatals standards en Alberta. Cette étude a exploré les perceptions des femmes quant à l’accès aux diététistes pendant la grossesse et les expériences des diététistes quant à l’offre de counseling en contexte de nutrition prénatale.
Méthodes. Deux études ont été réalisées. Étude A : Des femmes enceintes ont répondu à un bref sondage lors d’un rendez-vous prénatal dans une grande clinique de consultations prénatales. Le sondage a permis d’évaluer les perspectives des femmes sur l’accès aux services de diététique durant la grossesse. Les données du sondage ont été analysées à l’aide de statistiques descriptives. Étude B : Des diététistes ont pris part à une entrevue téléphonique semi-structurée ou à un groupe de discussion et ont décrit leurs expériences de travail auprès des femmes enceintes. Les données ont été analysées au moyen d’une analyse thématique.
Résultats. Cent femmes enceintes ont répondu au sondage. Quatre-vingt-dix pour cent d’entre elles ont affirmé ne pas avoir consulté de diététiste à ce stade de la grossesse, et 48 % ont dit souhaiter consulter un ou une diététiste pendant leur grossesse, si possible. Les diététistes ont discuté de la diversité des préoccupations des femmes et des défis associés à l’offre de soutien nutritionnel prénatal.
Conclusions. Les femmes se posent des questions sur la nutrition pendant la grossesse. Les diététistes ont de la difficulté à offrir des services dans les systèmes de soins actuels.
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Financial support: Alberta Innovates Health Solutions (as part of the The ENRICH Research Project).
Conflict of interest: No conflicts of interest to declare.
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Published In
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 84 • Number 2 • June 2023
Pages: 77 - 83
Editor: Naomi Cahill
History
Version of record online: 22 November 2022
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© 2023.
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DraganaMisitaBSc, RD, SharanAulakhBSc, VenuJainMD, PhD, MairaQuintanilhaPhD, RD, Maria B.OspinaPhD, and Rhonda C.BellPhD. 2023. Prenatal Nutrition Care in Alberta: The Perspectives of Pregnant Women and Registered Dietitians. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research.
84(2): 77-83. https://doi.org/10.3148/cjdpr-2022-031
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