VIRGEN MILAGROSA

COLLEGE OF NURSING
UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

Activity no. 3: Teaching Plan

Author: Lilian P. Lomboy

Situation: A community health nurse conducts a series of classes for young women
at a prenatal clinic in an inner city. She has asked you to discuss
appropriate weight gain during pregnancy but also to explain the health
risks associated with obesity and therefore the need for weight control
after pregnancy.
Teaching Plan:
I. Topic: Appropriate weight gain during pregnancy and the need for weight control after
pregnancy.
II. Objectives:
Following the lesson, young women in an inner city should be able to:
1. Discuss the:
a. Definition of weight;
b. Importance of appropriate weight during and after pregnancy;
c. Difference between the appropriate weight during pregnancy and
after pregnancy;
d. Appropriate types and amount of physical activity before and after
pregnancy
2. Enumerate or list the:
a. Appropriate weight during and after pregnancy;
b. Health risks associated with obesity
3. Gain knowledge about the:
a. Appropriate weight during and after pregnancy;
b. Health risks associated with obesity;
c. Appropriate types and amount of physical activity before and after
pregnancy
4. Apply the lessons tackled after the class in real life situations.
III. Introduction
Presentation| The lecturer will ask questions to the clients such as:
1. “Who among you knows the definition of weight?”
2. “Who among you knows what is the importance of weight during
and after pregnancy?”
IV. Body of the Topic
Weight is a body's relative mass or the quantity of matter contained by it, giving
rise to a downward force; the heaviness of a person or thing.
Appropriate weight gain during and after pregnancy
It is important for the health of the mother and for the long-term health the baby.
There are two main issues concerning weight management and pregnancy. The first issue
is the weight of the woman when she starts pregnancy, with numerous health risks
associated with weighing too little or too much, as defined by body mass index (BMI).
The second issue is a woman's weight gain during pregnancy, as there is health risks
associated with gaining too much weight, irrespective of the woman's BMI category. In
other words, women with a healthy BMI at the start of pregnancy still need to be careful
as to not gain too much weight throughout pregnancy.
Women starting pregnancy underweight is rare. A recent hospital audit showed
that 2% of women were classified as underweight and 17% obese at the start of
pregnancy. Compared to women with a healthy weight, underweight women have an
increased risk of preterm birth and having a small baby. Importantly, the NICE guidelines
on weight management in pregnancy cited above do not include women who are
underweight. That being said, it is likely that these women will benefit from the same
advice given to pregnant women of other weight categories.
 Appropriate weight gain during pregnancy per trimester:
Trimester Pounds (lbs.) Kilograms (kg.)
1st Trimester Approximately 5 lbs. Approximately 2.27 kg.
2nd Trimester Approximately 11 lbs. Approximately 4.99 kg.
3rd Trimester Approximately 11 lbs. Approximately 4.99 kg.
TOTAL: Approximately 27 lbs. Approximately 12- 13 kgs

Appropriate weight gain during pregnancy (BMI):

The need to weight control after pregnancy because of health risks associated to obesity in
mothers
Women with obesity need to be supported to lose weight before they conceive, eat
healthily and keep active in pregnancy and lose excessive weight postpartum. This
support needs to be delivered in a sensitive manner taking the woman's circumstances
into account. Importantly, this support needs to be provided by all healthcare
professionals who work with pregnant and postnatal women and their families, in
particular midwives, health visitors, GPs and practice nurses.
Health Risk for Mothers associated with obesity:
1. Gestational diabetes;
2. Pre- eclampsia;
3. Birth complication;
4. Perinatal anxiety and;
5. Perinatal depression
Health risks extended to the infant associated with pregnant mother’s obesity:
1. Increased risks of preterm birth;
2. Large-for-gestational-age babies (more than 4000g);
3. Congenital anomalies;
4. Fetal defects and;
5. Perinatal death

Appropriate types and amount of physical activity before and after pregnancy
Healthcare professionals should also discuss physical activity with all pregnant
women. Women should be advised to keep active as it will benefit her and her baby, and help
her with weight loss after birth. Moderate physical activity in 15 minute bouts three times a
week is advised before increasing this activity to 30 minutes every day of the week. Women
who have kept active regularly before pregnancy should be advised that they can continue
 this activity. Women often report being worried that physical activity can cause their baby
harm, so they need to be shown how to engage in physical activity safely, and be encouraged
to engage in appropriate activities such as walking and swimming. If women struggle to keep
active in pregnancy, they should be advised to avoid being sedentary, i.e. avoid sitting for
prolonged periods of time.

V. Conclusion
Compared to pregnant women with a healthy BMI, pregnant women in the
overweight BMI category have an increased risk of gestational diabetes and caesarean
section, antenatal and postnatal depression, and their baby risks being born preterm.
A recent review found that pregnant women with obesity had an increased risk of
gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, birth complications, and perinatal anxiety and
depression compared to women with a healthy pre-pregnancy BMI.
Moreover these risks extend to the infant, with increased risks of preterm birth,
large-for-gestational-age babies (defined as more than 4000g), congenital anomalies, fetal
defects and perinatal death.
Women with obesity need to be supported to lose weight before they conceive, eat
healthily and keep active in pregnancy and lose excessive weight postpartum. This
support needs to be delivered in a sensitive manner taking the woman's circumstances
into account. Importantly, this support needs to be provided by all healthcare
professionals who work with pregnant and postnatal women and their families, in
particular midwives, health visitors, GPs and practice nurses.