[Weight and weight gain in pregnancy]

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Public Health Nutrition

Context:

• Maternal pre-pregnancy weight and gestational weight gain are critical determinants of pregnancy outcomes.
• Nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy, including hyperemesis, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa, can lead to undernourishment.
• Physiological weight gain typically ranges from 10-16 kg, varying by trimester.

Purpose:

• To review the multifaceted aspects of maternal weight status before and during pregnancy.
• To examine the causes and consequences of maternal undernourishment and excessive weight gain.
• To outline risks associated with both low and high maternal body weight during gestation.

Summary:

• Low pre-pregnancy weight is linked to low birthweight.
• Maternal undernourishment can result in premature delivery or low birthweight.
• Overweight pregnant individuals face increased risks of gestational diabetes, macrosomia, preterm delivery, and hypertension.
• Severely overweight women have higher risks during anesthesia and operative delivery, necessitating prophylactic measures like heparin, dextran, and antibiotics.
• A gestational weight gain of 7-12 kg is associated with reduced complications in overweight patients.

Impact:

• Informing clinical guidelines for optimal maternal weight management during pregnancy.
• Highlighting the importance of nutritional support for pregnant individuals.
• Reducing adverse perinatal outcomes through evidence-based weight management strategies.
• Improving maternal and neonatal health by mitigating risks associated with abnormal maternal weight trajectories.