Changes in pre-pregnancy weight and weight gain during pregnancy: retrospective comparison between 1986 and 2004.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the incidence of pre-pregnancy overweight, obesity, and difference in weight gain during pregnancy in the years 1986 and 2004, in women delivered at the maternity unit of our hospital.


METHODS
Retrospective study. Maternity records of patients delivered in the years 1986 and 2004 were compared. Data extraction included booking weight, height, weight gain, birth weight as well as information on mode of delivery and gestational age at delivery.


RESULTS
During the year 1986 and 2004 a total of 690 and 668 patients respectively were included in the analysis. The pre-pregnancy BMI > or =25 doubled over the 18-year period (from 15.9 to 30.1%). In 1986 only 2.6% of all pregnant women gained more than 20 kg, while in 2004 14.2% (p <0.0001) did so. The caesarean section rate was significantly higher in 2004 than 18 years earlier (28.3 and 9.3%, p <0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
We found a significant increase in all parameters between these two groups. Pregnant women are today heavier at the booking visit, are more overweight, and gain more weight during pregnancy. A similar trend is seen in the newborn babies, who have a higher birth weight than those born 18 years ago.
Frischknecht
Fioravante
F
Division of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Kantonsspital Münsterlingen, Münsterlingen, Switzerland. fioravante.frischknecht@stgag.ch
Brühwiler
Hermann
H
Raio
Luigi
L
Lüscher
Klaus Peter
KP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008429:Maternal Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015430:Weight Gain; D055815:Young Adult