Influence of Gestational Weight Gain and Its Associated Factors on Pregnancy Outcomes in Urban Indian Women

Abstract

Gestational Weight Gain (GWG) has important implications for the immediate and future health of both the mother and the newborn infant. Overweight and obese women have been reported to gain excessive weight with reference to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) revised guidelines of 2009 on GWG based on the pre-pregnancy BMI ranges for women as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Previous research studies have highlighted the associations between gestational weight gain, pre-pregnancy BMI, parity, and pregnancy outcomes, such as assisted delivery and neonatal birth weight. The present observational study conducted 600 pregnant women in their second trimester aimed to study the association between GWG, maternal age, parity, and pregnancy outcomes, including neonatal birth weight, mode of delivery, and APGAR score. Mean maternal age of the study sample was 29.06 ± 5.0 years and the mean gestational weight gain of the sample was 9.29±4.71 kg. GWG in the present sample was well within the IOM (2009) guidelines. Statistically significant associations (p<.001) were found between GWG and pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG and parity (p=.000). GWG was within the IOM (2009) suggested guidelines and no adverse pregnancy outcome has been reported in the present study sample These findings therefore underline the need to adhere to the IOM (2009) guidelines on pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG to ensure achievement of optimal pregnancy outcomes for both the mother and her offspring. Further studies must aim towards formulation of strategies enabling adherence to recommended guidelines for achieving optimal GWG.