Researchers
- Sereena Raju
- Fiona Cowdell
- Judith Dyson
Project Aim
The aim of this project was to co-design prototype strategies that will support midwives to have culturally sensitive consultations about weight with South Asian women. Women from this group have a significantly higher risk of gestational diabetes compared with White European women in England (Makgoba et al., 2012).
Although midwives are best placed to support healthy weight management in pregnancy, research on optimum approaches is sparse. Mindlines are “collectively reinforced, internalised tacit guidelines” which are contextually relevant (Gabbay and le May, 2004). Knowledge mobilisation through enhancement of midwives’ mindlines offers a new approach to improving practice.
This study involves three qualitative stages:
- Qualitative interviews with midwives and pregnant women to explore how mindlines developed.
- Four virtual workshops with midwives and South Asian pregnant women/new mothers to co-design prototype strategies supporting culturally sensitive consultations about weight. These were combined within postcards and a film.
- Development and testing of prototypes to ensure that they can be used by midwives. Midwives regarded the strategies as acceptable and effective in supporting others to advise and signpost about weight with South Asian women.
Work is now underway to evaluate the acceptability of the strategies with larger groups of midwives and South Asian groups. The feedback will be used to develop the strategies further with the support of an Arts/Design specialist at the University.
Publications:
Raju, S., Cowdell, F. and Dyson, J. (2023) Midwives’ experiences of supporting healthy gestational weight management: A mixed methods systematic literature review. Midwifery, 124(103750), pp. 1-17.
Raju, S., Cowdell, F. and Dyson, J. (2024) Barriers and facilitators to healthy gestational weight gain amongst pregnant women from ethnic minority groups: A systematic search and narrative synthesis. Midwifery, 135(104051), pp. 1-10.
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