ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Minerva Ginecologica 2019 December;71(6):427-33

DOI: 10.23736/S0026-4784.19.04449-6

Copyright © 2019 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

The role of antenatal education for the prevention of excessive weight gain during pregnancy

Roberta AMADORI ¹ ✉, Carmela MELLUZZA ¹, Alessia MOTTA ², Alberto DE PEDRINI ¹, Daniela SURICO ¹

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; ² Unit of Midwifery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy

BACKGROUND: Excessive weight gain (EWG) during pregnancy is associated to adverse maternal-fetal outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyze the situation in a single high intensity care center in Eastern Piedmont, north of Italy.
METHODS: This is a cohort study including 715 patients classified into four classes corresponding to pregestational BMI values. Based on the WHO’s weight gain for each class, women were subdivided into three groups: inadequate, adequate and excessive increase.
RESULTS: EWG was significant in overweight (43.9%) and obese women (37.3%). There was a significant correlation with gestational diabetes (P=0.046), hypertension (P=0.0001), preterm birth (P=0.047), intake of antihypertensive drugs (P=0.0001), maternal study degree (P=0.005), profession (P=0.015), civil status (P=0.003), parity (P=0.039) and paternal ethnicity (P=0.027). Participation at antenatal education for childbirth (AEC) had a positive impact leading to an appropriate weight gain (P=0.004).
CONCLUSIONS: If adequately counselled, women understand the consequences of excessive weight gain during pregnancy, comply more to therapy and modify their lifestyle.

KEY WORDS: Prenatal education; Gestational weight gain; Pregnancy