Effect of Interpregnancy Interval on Postpartum Maternal Anthropometry in Owerri, Nigeria

Abstract

Summary Background: Pregnancy weight gain and retention of gained weight following delivery is of great concern as regards to maternal obesity and its associated health risks. The influence of the length of inter-pregnancy interval on maternal weight outcomes, following delivery, is unknown. Aim: The prospective study aims to investigate the effect of inter-pregnancy interval on postpartum weight loss in Nigerian women. Subjects and Methods: A total of 80 pregnant women in labour were recruited based on a set criteria and anthropometric measurements were taken within 24 hours of delivery then repeated 6 weeks after. Mothers were grouped under the following inter-pregnancy interval (IPI) groups: IPI of more than 1 year to 2 years (˃1≤2), IPI of 1 year or less (≤1) and IPI of more than 2 years (˃ 2). Data analysis and entry were done using SPSS viewer (13), with P value ≤0.05 considered as significant. Results: Though we recorded reductions in maternal weight (MW), mid arm circumference (MAC), waist circumference (WC), mid-thigh circumference (MTC) and hip circumference (HC) only MTC was significant among the 3 groups with P value 0.02 while MW, MAC, WC and HC had the following P values 0.07, 0.87, 0.96 and 0.48 respectively. Conclusion: There is no significant effect of inter-pregnancy interval on postpartum maternal weight loss and as such its modification may not contribute to the prevention of obesity and its associated complications.