Maternal and fetal consequences of increased gestational weight gain in women of normal prepregnant weight

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of increased gestational weight gain in women of normal prepregnant weight. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We compared 174 patients gaining more than 18 kg to 174 patients gaining between 9 and 15 kg. Body mass index was normal for every woman included in the study. RESULTS: Weight gain > or =18 kg was associated with increased risk of vascular complications (5.2% vs. 1.1%, P < 0.05) but not with increased risk of mellitus diabetes (5.2% vs. 4.0%, NS). Weight gain > or =18 kg prolonged labor length (414.4 +/- 147 min vs. 376.5 +/- 166.4 min, P < 0.05) and increased the rate of cesarean section (19.5% vs. 10.3%, P < 0.05). Neonatal outcome was similar in both groups, mean birth weight was greater (3413.6 +/- 427.0 g vs. 3163.4 +/- 495.1 g, P < 0.05) and the frequency of infants weighing more than 4000 g at birth was increased (8.0% vs. 4.0%, P < 0.05) among women gaining more than 18 kg. CONCLUSION: Excess weight gain in pregnancy affects gestational and delivery outcomes and results in higher frequency of fetal macrosomia. These results confirm recommendations on weight gain in pregnancy as guidelines for pregnant women.