HHS HealthBeat (July 23, 2008)

Best pregnancy weight

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

The word “pregnancy” always suggests growth but how much growth is healthy?

Researchers say infants had more health risks if their mothers gained too much weight – or gained too little – during pregnancy.

The researchers say mothers who gain too much weight risk complications during birth. Others who don’t gain enough weight risk having babies that didn’t grow as well.

Each mother is a special case; so a one-size-fits-all weight system might not work. How much weight, then, should mothers gain?

Study director Dr. Meera Viswanathan of RTI International in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina:

 “The bottom line is all women should ask their physicians for their recommended weight gain range and use their prenatal visits to monitor progress.” (8 seconds)

The study was supported by HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

Last revised: July, 23 2008