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Weight gain restriction for obese pregnant women: a case-control intervention study.

Claesson IM, Sydsjö G, Brynhildsen J, Cedergren M, Jeppsson A, Nyström F, Sydsjö A, Josefsson A

Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Linköping University, Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: To minimise obese women's total weight gain during pregnancy to less than 7 kg and to investigate the delivery and neonatal outcome. DESIGN: A prospective case-control intervention study. SETTING: Antenatal care clinics in the southeast region of Sweden. POPULATION: One hundred fifty-five pregnant women in an index group and one hundred ninety-three women in a control group. METHODS: An intervention programme with weekly motivational talks and aqua aerobic classes for obese pregnant women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weight gain in kilograms, delivery and neonatal outcome. RESULTS: The index group had a significantly lower weight gain during pregnancy compared with the control group (P < 0.001). The women in the index group weighed less at the postnatal check-up compared with the weight registered in early pregnancy (P < 0.001). The percentage of women in the index group who gained less than 7 kg was greater than that of women in the control group who gained less than 7 kg (P= 0.003). The percentage of nulliparous women in this group was greater than that in the control group (P= 0.018). In addition, the women in the index group had a significantly lower body mass index at the postnatal check-up, compared with the control group (P < 0.001). There were no differences between the index group and the control group regarding birthweight, gestational age and mode of delivery. CONCLUSION: The intervention programme was effective in controlling weight gain during pregnancy and did not affect delivery or neonatal outcome.

Published 6 December 2007 in BJOG, 115(1): 44-50.
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