Dr. Chapa’s Clinical Pearls. Excessive Maternal Wt Gain (gwg) = Stillbirth?
Feb 17, 2025
One in five women in the U.S. begin pregnancy with a BMI of 30 or higher. Excessive weight gain during this time can lead to serious complications like gestational diabetes and shoulder dystocia. Surprisingly, the link between high maternal weight gain and stillbirth risk is complex. While guidelines recommend monitoring based on pre-pregnancy BMI, the reasons for this approach may not be as straightforward as expected. The discussion uncovers startling data and insights on maternal health throughout pregnancy!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Excessive Weight Gain and Pregnancy
- One in five women in the US start pregnancy with a BMI of 30 or more.
- One in five women gain over 40 pounds, exceeding recommendations.
Surveillance Based on Pre-pregnancy BMI
- ACOG guidelines recommend antepartum fetal surveillance based on pre-pregnancy BMI.
- Gestational weight gain is not a factor in these guidelines.
Impact of Pre-pregnancy Weight
- Studies show pre-pregnancy weight significantly impacts stillbirth risk.
- Gestational weight gain has less influence, challenging common assumptions.