Background:
Obesity is associated with many pregnancy complications including increases in cesarean birth weight, congenital anomalies, large-for-gestational age infants, and stillbirth. Many obstetrician-gynecologists are reluctant to address body weight issues during clinical encounters. Inadequate education about risks of overweight/obesity in pregnancy, as well as lack of a focused clinical tool set to assist in addressing these issues has been mentioned as contributing factors.

Objectives:
We seek to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a brief web-based learning module for obstetricians and gynecologists. Patient messages empowering women to achieve and/or maintain a normal weight in pregnancy will be produced.

Methods:
Using data and resources collected as part of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Healthy Weight in Women Action Learning Collaborative, a 20-minute educational module with pre- and post-tests of knowledge will be developed focusing on healthy preconception and pregnancy weight. As a pilot study at Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center, the self-education module will be deployed on Kaiser Permanente intranet education website. The HMO's electronic medical record, Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect™ will include a prompt to alert the provider to address healthy weight issues when a pregnant woman has a BMI in the overweight/obese category. Patient education information will be made available as part of the KP HealthConnect™ patient education tool database. Outcome variables to be studied will include total pregnancy weight gain, average BMI before and after the intervention, and rates of large-for-gestational age infants and cesarean birth.

Results:
Pre- and post-test scores will be reviewed and analyzed. Outcome variables will be compared between before and after the educational module and tools become available.

Conclusion and implications for practice:
Addressing healthy weight guidelines for women of reproductive age with focused education and messaging will result in improved overall health and lower rates of pregnancy complications.