Providers reported a wide range of behaviors regarding
weight gain assessment and counseling in pregnancy. We
observed a diversity of beliefs and practices among participants
regarding charting prepregnancy BMI, providing a
target weight gain range, and reviewing the weight gain
flowchart or graph with patients. This variability in approach
stems in part from provider doubts about the effectiveness of
weight gain counseling. Although more research is necessary
to refine our approach to weight gain counseling in pregnancy,
evidence from recent clinical trials suggests that
weight gain can be modified by prenatal counseling.29,30 In a
survey of 2237 predominantly white, middle-class pregnant
women, those who reported receiving correct advice about
weight gain guidelines were more likely to gain within the
guidelines