Sammanfattning
The purpose of this study is to gain knowledge about the challenges midwives and public nurses
are experiencing in health prevention and health promotion to obese pregnant women, and their
reflections regarding the need for change in practice.
Method: The study has a qualitative exploratory design. Data was created by multistage focus group
interviews and analyzed inspired by Lundman and Granheim’s content analysis. The focus groups
consisted of midwives and public health nurses.
Results: The informants were aware that obesity in pregnancy may cause complications for both
mother and child, but they experienced obesity and lifestyle changes as challenging in antenatal
care. Weight and body were perceived as something vulnerable. Informants found it hard to talk
about weight because they were afraid of reactions from the pregnant women. They also expressed
insecurity regarding their own expertise when it comes to communication and nutrition. Informants
expressed the need for more interdisciplinary cooperation between different health workers in
community health. They experienced such cooperation difficult to achieve.