A new systematic review and meta-analysis in the BMJ published online on May 17, 2012 shows that improving maternal diet during pregnancy helps with reduced weight gain during pregnancy and improved obstetric outcomes.
In Europe and the USA, 20% – 40% of women gain more than the recommended weight during pregnancy. Gaining this much extra weight is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Improving diet reduced the risk for preeclampsia and babies getting their shoulder stuck during delivery (shoulder dystocia). There was a trend towards less gestational diabetes, and high blood pressure.
What women eat and how much weight women gain during pregnancy was also important for the health of the baby – so eat healthily, eat well and don’t eat for two!
http://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e2088: Effects of interventions in pregnancy on maternal weight and obstetric outcomes: meta-analysis of randomised evidence. BMJ 2012; S.Thangaratinam et al
