Associations Between Maternal Body Mass Index, Gestational Weight Gain, Maternal Complications, and Birth Outcome in Singleton, Term Births in a Largely Non-Hispanic White, Rural Population

Impact of Pre-Gestational BMI and Gestational Weight Gain on Fetal Development Outcomes in Adolescent Pregnant Women

Background. Gestational weight gain (GWG) constitutes an essential aspect of the gestational process. Due to factors such as pregestational body mass index (BMI), nutritional intake, level of physical activity, and psychological aspects, the recommended GWG may not be achieved, leading to adverse neonatal outcomes. Adolescents, due to their physiological and mental developmental stage, are at a higher risk of inappropriate GWG. Our aim is to highlight the importance of GWG in our population and to determine the correlation with perinatal outcomes. Methods. Pregnant adolescents who attended a tertiary care institution for prenatal care were included; maternal data such as preBMI and GWG were used to determine maternal and neonatal outcomes using the chi-square test and OR determination. Results. A total of 202 adolescent pregnant patients were included, comprising those with inadequate GWG (n = 70), adequate GWG (n = 85), and excessive GWG (n = 47). A statistically significant association was found between low BMI and inadequate GWG. Patients with inadequate GWG demonstrated a correlation with IUGR and low birth weight, while patients with excessive GWG gave birth to macrosomic neonates. Conclusion. We concluded that previous habits play a significant role in determining weight gain throughout pregnancy. GWG has a direct impact on neonatal growth and development.

Physical activity during pregnancy and its relationship with gestational weight gain

Objective: to describe the physical activity patterns of a cohort comprised by pregnant women from our environment and to explore its association with weight gain in each of the trimesters of pregnancy. Methods: a descriptive and longitudinal study conducted with a sample of 151 women. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess physical activity during pregnancy based on volume, intensity and setting where it is performed. Different multiple linear regression models were performed to analyze the association between physical activity and gestational weight gain Results: physical activity decreased during pregnancy, both in terms of time and intensity. Pre-gestational Body Mass Index was the main factor associated with lower weight gain throughout pregnancy. The influence of physical activity on gestational weight gain was limited to the third trimester of pregnancy, where an inverse association was observed between both variables. Conclusion: the results of this study show an important reduction in physical activity during pregnancy and suggest that it exerts a limited influence on gestational weight gain

Atividade física durante a gestação e sua relação com o ganho de peso gestacional

Objetivo: descrever os padrões de atividade física de uma coorte de gestantes em nosso meio e explorar sua associação com o ganho de peso em cada um dos trimestres de gestação. Método: estudo descritivo longitudinal com uma amostra de 151 mulheres. O Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física foi utilizado para avaliar a atividade física durante a gestação de acordo com o volume, intensidade e escopo do desempenho. Diferentes modelos de regressão linear múltipla foram utilizados para analisar a associação entre atividade física e ganho de peso gestacional. Resultados: a atividade física diminuiu durante a gestação, tanto em tempo quanto em intensidade. O índice de massa corporal pré-gestacional foi o principal fator associado ao menor ganho de peso ao longo da gestação. A influência da atividade física no ganho de peso gestacional limitou-se ao terceiro trimestre de gestação, no qual foi observada associação inversa entre ambas as variáveis. Conclusão: os resultados deste estudo mostram uma diminuição significativa da atividade física no momento da gravidez e sugerem uma influência limitada desta no ganho de peso gestacional.

Physical activity during pregnancy and its relationship with gestational weight gain

OBJECTIVE

to describe the physical activity patterns of a cohort comprised by pregnant women from our environment and to explore its association with weight gain in each of the trimesters of pregnancy.

METHODS

a descriptive and longitudinal study conducted with a sample of 151 women. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess physical activity during pregnancy based on volume, intensity and setting where it is performed. Different multiple linear regression models were performed to analyze the association between physical activity and gestational weight gain.

RESULTS

physical activity decreased during pregnancy, both in terms of time and intensity. Pre-gestational Body Mass Index was the main factor associated with lower weight gain throughout pregnancy. The influence of physical activity on gestational weight gain was limited to the third trimester of pregnancy, where an inverse association was observed between both variables.

CONCLUSION

the results of this study show an important reduction in physical activity during pregnancy and suggest that it exerts a limited influence on gestational weight gain.

The combined effect of pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain on the risk of pre-labour and intrapartum caesarean section-The ICE-MCH study

Women who are obese before pregnancy have a higher risk of caesarean section than normal weight women. We investigated the combined effect of pre-pregnancy weight and gestational weight gain on pre-labour and intrapartum caesarean section risk. We collected data on 22,763 singleton, term, live deliveries in 2003-2014 from the Icelandic Maternal and Child Health Study (ICE-MCH), based on Icelandic registries. These were the Icelandic Medical Birth Registry and the Saga Maternal and Child Health Database. Pre-pregnancy body mass index was categorised into underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese. Gestational weight gain was classified according to the Institute of Medicine´s recommendation into below, within and above the recommended range. Logistic regression models, adjusted for maternal and gestational characteristics, were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the risk of caesarean section. Obese women had a higher risk of pre-labour (AOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.34-1.81) and intrapartum caesarean section (AOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.70-2.17) than normal weight women in all categories of gestational weight gain. Gestational weight gain above the recommended range, compared to within the range, increased the risk of intrapartum caesarean section among normal weight (AOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.23-1.73) and overweight women (AOR 1.291, 95% CI 1.04-1.60). Gestational weight gain below the recommended range, compared to within the range, increased the risk of pre-labour caesarean section (AOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.20-2.25), but only among overweight women. Women who are obese before pregnancy have a high risk of caesarean section regardless of gestational weight gain. However, women who are normal weight or overweight before pregnancy and gain weight above the recommended range during pregnancy may also have an increased risk of caesarean section.

Gestational Weight Gain Below Instead of Within The Guidelines per Class of Maternal Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Obstetrical and Neonatal Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To systematically investigate a wide range of obstetrical and neonatal outcomes with respect to gestational weight gain (GWG) below the current IOM and ACOG guidelines compared to within the guidelines and to stratify outcomes by the class of obesity and by the type of study analysis.

DATA SOURCES

We systematically searched studies on PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library from 2009 to April 30, 2021.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Studies reporting on obstetrical and neonatal outcomes of singleton pregnancies with respect to GWG below the current IOM and ACOG guidelines compared to within the guidelines, investigated in obesity overall (BMI> 30 kg/m²), and/or class of obesity (I: BMI 30-34.9 kg/m², II: BMI 35-39.9 kg/ m² and III: BMI> 40 kg/m²).

METHODS

Among the studies that met criteria, multiple obstetrical and neonatal outcomes were tabulated and compared between pregnancies with weight gain below the guidelines and those with weight gain within the guidelines, further classified by the class of obesity if applicable. Primary outcomes included small for gestational age (SGA), large for gestational age (LGA), preeclampsia (PE), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Secondary outcomes included cesarean section (CS), preterm birth (PTB), postpartum weight retention, and composite neonatal morbidity. Meta-analysis of univariate and adjusted multivariate analysis studies were conducted. The random-effect model was used to pool the mean differences or odds ratios (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² value. Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess individual study quality.

RESULTS

Total of 54 studies reporting on 30,245,946 pregnancies were included, of which 11,515,411 pregnancies were in the univariate analysis and 18,730,535 pregnancies in the adjusted multivariate analysis. In the meta-analysis of univariate studies, compared to women who gained within the guidelines, those who gained below the guidelines had higher odds for SGA in obesity class I and II (OR:1.30 (95% CI 1.17, 1.45), I² 0%, P<0.00001, and OR: 1.56 (95% CI 1.31, 1.85), I² 0%, P<0.00001), respectively), however, the incidence of SGA was below the expected limits (<10%) and was not associated with increased neonatal morbidity. Furthermore, after adjusting for covariates, that difference was no statistically significant anymore. The difference was not statistically significant for class III obesity. Following adjusted multivariate analysis, no significant differences in SGA rates were noted for all classes of obesity between groups. Significantly lower odds for LGA were seen in GWG below guidelines in obesity class I, II, and III (OR: 0.69 (95% CI 0.64, 0.73), I² 0%, P<0.00001, OR: 0.68 (95% CI 0.63, 0.74), I² 0%, P<0.00001, and OR: 0.65 (95% CI 0.57, 0.75), I² 34%, P<0.00001, respectively), and similar findings were seen in the adjusted multivariate analysis. Women with weight gain below guidelines had significantly lower odds for PE in obesity class I, II, and III (OR: 0.71 (95% CI 0.63, 0.79),), I² 0%, P<0.00001, OR: 0.82 (95% CI 0.73, 0.91), I² 0%, P<0.00001, and OR: 0.82 (95% CI 0.70, 0.94), I² 0%, P=0.006, respectively), and similar findings were seen in the adjusted multivariate analysis. No significant differences were seen in GDM between groups. Regarding PTB, available univariate analysis studies only reported on overall obesity and mixed iatrogenic and spontaneous PTB showing significant increase in the odds of PTB (OR: 1.42 (95% CI 1.40, 1.43), I² 0%, P<0.00001) in women with low weight gain, while adjusted multivariate studies in overall obesity and in all three classes and showed no significant differences of PTB between groups. Women with low weight gain had significantly lower odds for CS in obesity class I, II, and III (OR: 0.76 (95% CI 0.72, 0.81), I² 0%, P<0.00001, OR: 0.82 (95% CI 0.77, 0.87), I² 0%, P<0.00001, and OR: 0.87 (95% CI 0.82, 0.91), I² 0%, P<0.00001, respectively), and similar findings were seen in the adjusted multivariate analysis. There was significantly lower odds for postpartum weight retention (OR: 0.20 (95% CI 0.05, 0.82)), I² 0%, P=0.03) and lower odds for composite neonatal morbidity in the overall obesity group with low GWG (OR: 0.93 (95% CI 0.87, 0.99)), I² 19.6%, P=0.04).

CONCLUSION

Contrary to previous reports, the current systematic review and meta-analysis showed no significant increase in SGA rates in pregnancies with weight gain below the current guidelines for all classes of maternal obesity. Furthermore, gaining below the guidelines was associated with lower LGA, PE, and CS rates. Our study provides the evidence that the current recommended GWG is high for all classes of obesity. These results provide pertinent information supporting the notion to revisit the current GWG recommendations for women with obesity and furthermore to classify them by the class of obesity rather than one overall obesity category as is done in the current recommendations.

Induction of labor at 39 weeks and risk of cesarean delivery among obese women: a retrospective propensity score matched study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate if induction of labor (IOL) in obese women at 39 weeks of gestation decreases the risk of cesarean delivery (CD).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective propensity score matched study using the Center for Disease Control's (CDC's) Period Linked Birth-Infant Death data. The study population consisted of cephalic singleton births to women with BMI greater or equal to 30.0 kg/m² who delivered at or beyond 39 weeks between 2013 and 2017. Women with prior CD were excluded. Women who underwent IOL at 39 weeks were propensity score matched 1:5 on the basis of CD risk factors to women who did not undergo IOL at 39 weeks but may have had an IOL at a later gestational age. Conditional logistic regression compared CD rates and maternal outcomes between obese women induced at 39 weeks with those not induced at 39 weeks.

RESULTS

Our cohort consisted of 197,343 obese women induced at 39 weeks and 986,715 obese women not induced at 39 weeks. Overall, the risk of CD among women who had an IOL at 39 weeks was lower than those without an IOL at 39 weeks, 0.59 (0.58-0.60). The decrease in CD risk was more pronounced in multiparas, 0.47 (0.46-0.49) than nulliparas, 0.81 (0.79-0.83). When stratified by BMI, the effect of IOL on lowering CD risk was similar across all obesity classes. Aside from an increased risk of instrumental deliveries, morbidities were comparable in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

IOL at 39 weeks among obese women appears to lower the risk of CD, without compromising maternal outcomes.

A Review of the Clinician's Role in Women's Weight Management and Implications for Women's Health and Pregnancy Outcomes

Importance

Ten years have passed since the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its recommendations for gestational weight gain (GWG), based on a woman's prepregnancy body mass index. Despite this, the majority of women do not gain the appropriate gestational weight; most women gain too much weight, and a small but substantial number gain too little.

Objective

We review the literature concerning GWG, the opinions and practices of clinicians in managing their patients' weight, and how these practices are perceived by patients. We also review several randomized control trials that investigate the efficacy of clinical intervention in managing GWG.

Evidence Acquisition

A literature review search was conducted with no limitations on the number of years searched.

Results

The number of clinicians who are aware of and use the IOM recommendations has increased, but the prevalence of inappropriate GWG has not decreased. Clinicians report feeling less than confident in their ability to have an impact on their patients' weight gain, and there are discrepancies between what clinicians and patients report regarding counseling. Many randomized control trials demonstrate a beneficial impact of clinical intervention, highlighting the importance of collaboration and technology to provide educational information and support throughout a pregnancy.

Conclusions

Pregnancy provides an opportunity for clinicians to have open and direct conversations with their patients about their weight. Providing clinicians with the tools, skillset, and confidence to assist in the management of GWG is essential to the health of women and their children, and warrants further investigation.