A study of the biweekly weight gains of noncomplicated pregnancies

Jang, Youn Ju; Yoo, Chang Jun; Park, Hyun Mi; Kang, Chang Seong; Park, Sung Chul; Park, Jong Kyou

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To establish the standard values for proper antenatal weight gain, biweekly mean weight gains, standard deviations were calculated from the 5th to the 42nd gestational week and their percentiles were determined. And the influence of prepregnancy body mass index and/or parity on biweekly weight gain was investigated.
METHODS
We analyzed the biweekly weight gain data from 910 women who had noncomplicated singleton term pregnancy. Data was categorized in three groups according to body mass index (BMI).
RESULTS
The biweekly weight gain table has been determined and 'Sigmoid(S) shaped' weight gain curves were presented. Primipara and multipara have significantly less weight gain than nullipara beyond the 25th weeks. Biweekly weight gain was significantly different among prepregnancy BMI groups from the 13th week.
CONCLUSION
More careful prenatal care according to the biweekly weight gain-gestational week tables is needed to prevent a lot of complications which may be associated with abnormal weight gain during pregnancy. To establish Korean standard value for antenatal weight gain, a nationwide multicenter study is needed.