PATTERNS OF WEIGHT GAIN AND PREGNANCY OUTCOMES AMONG HIGH RISK PREGNANT WOMEN: IMPLEMENTING A PLAN OF ACTION

Abstract

Scientific research documented that routine and monitored weight gam during pregnancy is an essential part of antenatal care and is associated with positive pregnancy outcomes. In addition, there is a direct relationship between pregnancy weight gain and neonatal birth weight. Being obese or underweight during pregnancy is associated with a variety of complications such as women who experience underweight during pregnancy is associated with increased incidence of preterm birth, low birth weight, and intrauterine growth restriction. However, excessive gestational weight gain is associated with adverse infant outcomes, including neonatal hypoglycemia, large for gestational age, macrosomia infants, weight retention after pregnancy and excessive body weight later in life. Careful assessment of maternal weight gain is a major nursing responsibility to maintain optimal outcomes. Therefore, this study was carried out to identify patterns of weight gain and pregnancy outcomes among high risk pregnant women, and to develop and implement a plan of action to minimize the adverse pregnancy outcomes and evaluate the impact of the plan of action on maternal and neonatal outcomes.