Effect of High Gestational Weight Gain on Birth Weight and Cesarean Section Rate in Pregnant Women with a Normal Prepregnant Body Mass Index
Chamnan Tanprasertkul MD*, Charintip Somprasit MD**
Affiliation : *Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center, Srinakarinwirot University **Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thammasat University Hospital
Objective :To compare birth weight and cesarean section rates with high gestational weight gain and
normal weight gain in nulliparous pregnant women with a normal prepregnant body mass index.
Design : A retrospective study.
Setting : Thammasat University Hospital.
Methods : A study was conducted comparing 330 nulliparous pregnant women with normal prepregnant
body mass index who delivered a singleton live birth at Thammasat University Hospital. High gestational
weight gain was defined as gestational weight gain greater than 16 kg. The incidence of cesarean rate,
neonatal birth weight, selected labor and neonatal outcomes were assessed for the two groups. Statistical
analysis was carried out with independent unpaired T-test for continuous variables and Chi-square test
analysis for frequency data.
Results : No significant differences were found in cesarean section rates between the high weight gain group
and the recommended weight gain group (31/196 ; 15.8 % and 23/134; 17.2 % respectively ) .However, the
average neonatal birth weight in the high weight gain group was significantly greater than the recommended
group ( 3186.3 + 394.1 g and 3062.1 + 358.7 g respectively , p = 0.003). The length of labor and neonatal
outcomes were comparable between two groups .
Conclusion : High gestational weight gain in pregnant women with a normal prepregnant body mass index
was not associated with an increase in the cesarean delivery rate, but it did influence neonatal birth weight.
To reduce the risks associated with delivery and their complications, an optimal gestational weight gain for
Thai women should be proposed and more studies about gestational weight gain should be performed.
Keywords : High gestational weight gain, Birth weight, Cesarean section rate
