The Effects of the Timing of Weight Gain on Pregnancy Outcome

Abstract

The purpose of the retrospective study was to determine whether the timing of maternal weight gain affected the maternal or fetal outcomes of women seen by a private obstetrician and gynecologist. The medical records of 100 women were randomly selected and all pertinent maternal and infant information was gathered. Missing data disqualified three subjects, leaving a total of 97 subjects. Cluster analysis was used to group the subjects according to similar weight change patterns.Based on similar patterns of weight change, three clusters were identified. All three clusters were predominantly white and delivered around 39 weeks gestation. Cluster one contained the oldest women (M̄=29years) who gained the least weight (M̄=25 pounds) during pregnancy. Cluster two contained the youngest women (M̄=26 years) who gained the most weight (M̄=38 pounds) during pregnancy. Cluster three contained women with a mean age of 27 years and a mean weight gain of 37 pounds, which falls in between the means for clusters one and two. Cluster one and three had the highest prepregnancy.weights, with a mean prepregnancy weight of 157 pounds and 158 pounds, respectively, and a mean BMI of 27. Cluster two had a mean prepregnancy weight of 128.5 pounds with a mean BMI of 22. All three clusters gained at or above the current recommendations for total prenatal weight gain. The weight gain patterns were significantly (p<.05) related to the following, age at conception, prepregnancy weight, total weight gain, and body mass index (BMI).All subjects in this study delivered a healthy infant without complications. Cluster three did have more C-section deliveries. This study does support the importance of early prenatal care, avoiding substance abuse, and gaining an appropriate amount of weight based on prepregnancy weight status.