Lifestyle Modification Program Decreases Preg Gain

[caryn]

Study participants gained significantly less weight in their pregnancies when compared with controls (mean weight gain 17 versus 34 pounds, respectively; P = 0.008). Secondary outcomes of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, cesarean section, as well as infant birth weight did not significantly differ between the groups.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20013602

So the groups were too small to really say anything about whether or not controlling weight gain in pregnancy in a population of obese women actually lowers PE rates. In this very small population, it did not -- but there's proof of concept: this tactic did significantly reduce pregnancy weight gain. So now they'll try it in a larger population and check to see whether or not it actually lowers risk of preeclampsia etc. (Personally I suspect it will not affect PE rates, since PE seems to be driven by a placental mismatch. But this would be how to figure out whether or not larger weight gains are causing PE or just correlated to it!)

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[mother bear]

Hah! Of course larger weight gains should be correlated with PE, if'n y'all're talking about water weight, that is. :) Or auto-immune thyroid issues. But mostly water weight. I also doubt that controlling non-water weight gain (mmm... those holiday sugar cookies are yummy) will have much affect if any on PE, though you never know about GD...

[caryn]

Yep. I had a steady weight gain and then a ballooning at the end, and a monster appetite, and a few weeks postpartum was 30 pounds below my starting weight. Lifestyle modification just would have made me hungrier. :-)