Gestational weight gain and adverse pregnancy outcome

Gestational weight gain (GWG) is a crucial factor that affects pregnancy outcomes. Both low GWG and excess GWG pose risks for the infant and mother, such as small for gestational age and preterm births for the former, and gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, risk for cesarean sections, and postpartum complications for the latter. However, according to studies, the majority of women do not fall within the recommended gestational weight gain. In this lecture, Sara De Carolis details the implications of gestational weight gain, as well as highlights the importance of the proper timing of weight gain and its effects, and discusses recommendations for patient care.