Weight gain in pregnancy: A retrospective study

Abstract

Objectives: To assess weight gain in pregnancy and to test the associations between weight gain in pregnancy and the mode of delivery, parity, obstetric complications and birth weight of the newborn. Study design: Historical cohort study. Setting: Vagos Health Center, ACES Baixo Vouga II, Portugal. Participants: Pregnant women followed in the health center. Methods: The study sample was composed of women who were pregnant between 2003 and 2010. The variables studied were age, parity, body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy, type of delivery, obstetric complications and the birth weight of the newborn. For statistical analysis we used the Chi-Square Test, ANOVA and Least Significant Difference. Results: We studied 495 women with a mean age of 27 years. At the beginning of pregnancy 35% had a BMI >= 25 and 46% had excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Women with excessive weight gain in pregnancy had a higher mean pre-pregnancy BMI than women with adequate weight gain or weight gain lower than recommended (p >= 0,001). The children of mothers with excessive weight gain had significantly higher birth weights than other newborns (p = 0.024). There was no association between weight gain and the type of delivery, obstetric complications or parity. Conclusions: About one third of women were overweight or obese at the beginning of pregnancy. Most women had excessive weight gain for their BMI. Women with a higher pre-pregnancy BMI were more likely to have excessive weight gain in pregnancy and heavier babies. Studies are required to validate recommendations for weight gain during pregnancy for the Portuguese population.