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BMI during first pregnancy influences maternal, fetal outcomes in second pregnancy
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A woman’s BMI during her first pregnancy can affect both maternal and fetal health in a second pregnancy, according to research in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
In a population-based, retrospective cohort study, the researchers found that maternal weight during the first pregnancy can predict complications in a second pregnancy even if there are no complications during the first pregnancy or if the mother reaches a healthy weight before getting pregnant a second time.
In addition, researchers found that mothers with obesity during a first pregnancy are at an increased risk for neonatal death in a subsequent pregnancy.
Jen Jen Chang
“A mom’s unhealthy weight during her first uncomplicated pregnancy is associated with a higher likelihood of adverse maternal and fetal out comes during a second pregnancy,” Jen Jen Chang, PhD, an associate professor of epidemiology at St. Louis University, told Endocrine Today. “Some of the risk remains even if moms reach a normal weight by their second pregnancy.”
Chang and colleagues analyzed data from 121,092 women in the Missouri maternally linked birth registry who delivered their first two singleton pregnancies between 1989 and 2005.
Researchers found that, when compared with women who maintained a normal weight during a first pregnancy, mothers with overweight during a first pregnancy have an 18% increased chance of delivering a baby large for gestational age in a second pregnancy, as well as 72% increased chance of preeclampsia and 39% increased chance of caesarean delivery. Those odds are further raised for mothers with obesity during a first pregnancy with a 55% increased chance of delivering a baby large for gestational age in a second pregnancy, as well as 156% increased chance of preeclampsia and an 85% increased chance of caesarean delivery.
In addition, women with obesity during a first pregnancy had 37% increased odds for neonatal death in their second pregnancy after adjusting for cofounders.
“Women in their reproductive years should get to a healthy weight before they get pregnant,” Chang said. “Doctors — and moms who weren’t at a healthy weight for their first uncomplicated pregnancies — need to be aware of and monitor for the increased risk of complications during second pregnancies.”– by Regina Schaffer
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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