Excessive weight gain in primigravidas with low-risk pregnancy: selected obstetric consequences.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a group of normal weight women with a low-risk pregnancy who increased their prepregnant weight by more than 25% experienced a longer second stage of labor or a higher proportion of operative deliveries than a group of normal weight women who increased their prepregnant weight by 25% or less.


METHODS
Comparative, descriptive, retrospective chart review.


METHODS
A 480-bed tertiary care medical center.


METHODS
One hundred four primigravidas who had normal weight for height at conception and who experienced low-risk pregnancy.


METHODS
Length of second stage labor and mode of delivery.


RESULTS
A statistically significant difference was found in the mean length of second stage labor between the two groups, t(94) = -2.05, p = 0.02. A higher proportion of operative deliveries (vacuum, forceps, or cesarean section) occurred in the group that increased their prepregnant weight by more than 25%, chi 2(3, N = 104) = 15.87, p = 0.001.


CONCLUSIONS
The amount of weight gained during pregnancy influences progress and intervention during the second stage of labor.
Purfield
P
P
Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, PA, USA.
Morin
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007748:Labor Stage, Second / Q000502:physiology*; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications; D009773:Obstetric Nursing; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain