Pregnant women at an advanced age 35 year or more are exposed to an increased risk of excessive
or insufficient Gestational Weight Gain (GWG), which may exacerbate pregnancy outcomes, which
represent a double burden of risk along with the risk of pregnancy at an advanced age, which leads
to maternal, fetal, and neonatal risks. Many advanced age gravidas have poor knowledge, self-care
practices as well as poor perception about gestational weight gain, their consequences and
management strategies. Educational interventions seem to be the most appropriate and beneficial
choice for these women to prevent being overweight or underweight during pregnancy. Aim: the
aim of the current study was to assess effect of an educational session on improving pregnant
women's knowledge, self-care practices and perception regarding GWG among advanced age
pregnant women. Methods: A quasi experimental design was used to conduct the study. Sample: A
total of 75 advanced age pregnant who attended maternal and child health center at (Badr City) were
recruited. Data was collected by a structured self-administered questionnaire, gestational weight
gain knowledge and self-care practices questionnaire (pre/posttest) and women perception scale.
Result: There were a significant improvement in the total knowledge, self-care practices and
perception score after educational session (P = 0.000) as (62.7%) of the participants had poor
knowledge pretest compared to (81.3%) had good knowledge posttest. Also, there was significant
differences in total self practice score before and after the session (p=0.000). More than two third
(70.7%) had poor self-care practices pretest compared to (78.7%) had good self-care practices post
test. In addition to there was significant differences in total perception score before and after the
session (p < 0.001). About (74.7%) had negative perception pre teaching session compared to
(90.7%) had positive perception post intervention Conclusion: The educational session has an
impact on improving advanced age pregnant women's knowledge, selfcare practices and perception
about proper weight gain during pregnancy. And the inclusion of programs to control GWG in
antenatal care is very important, especially with advanced age pregnancy. Recommendation:
Counseling on maternal diet and exercise programs should be included in antenatal care guidelines
especially with advanced age pregnancy