Background: Weight stigma is a pervasive issue in maternity care, with significant health consequences including postpartum weight retention, high gestational weight gain and healthcare disengagement. Recognising and tackling weight stigma in maternity care is crucial for preventing poor maternal health outcomes. Using an online photovoice approach, this pilot study aimed to: (1) examine larger-bodied women’s experiences in Australian maternity care to inform development of non-stigmatising maternity care practices; and (2) evaluate the experience, feasibility and acceptability of online photovoice.
Method: Over 6 weeks, five larger bodied women with recent lived experience of maternity care shared and discussed reflective images and text to capture their experiences in a closed online discussion group. Participants attended three 2-hour online workshops to set research questions and group norms, analyse shared experiences and develop action plans. Semi-structured individual interviews with the participants examined their experience of the photovoice process and its’ feasibility and acceptability. Data were analysed using descriptive thematic analysis. Member checking confirmed the accuracy of collected data and the representative themes.
Results: 64 images were shared by participants. Three themes were identified: Taking Up Space, Encountering Barriers and Reclaiming My Agency. Women experienced maternity care as weight-centric which was viewed as stigmatising and, for some, triggering. Action-based approaches identified in the workshops included weight stigma education for maternity services, addressing weight stigma in relevant guidelines, providing suitable equipment in maternity care and increasing the use of positive images of diverse body sizes in maternity consumer information. Women described their photovoice experience as positive and empowering but emotionally challenging. Photovoice was accepted by all women and described as a feasible process.
Conclusion: The findings of this pilot study support the use of online photovoice, as an acceptable and feasible approach to inform the development of non-stigmatising maternity care practices.