Lack of weight gain in twin pregnancy may lead to birth injury

On Behalf of | May 9, 2014 | Uncategorized |

Weight gain during pregnancy is normal, but some pregnant women are told not to gain too much weight during pregnancy because they are overweight. Pregnant women in Kentucky who are expecting twins should know about how weight gain can help them give birth to the babies after 32 weeks.

The study was presented recently at an American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. It found that women who gained less than 8 pounds during weeks 20 through 28 were more likely to have preterm babies. The risk of having premature birth with a twin pregnancy is already much higher than in a singleton pregnancy, but without a weight gain of at least 8 pounds during those weeks, the risk is around triple that of a woman who is pregnant with twins who does gain at least 8 pounds.

In the study, which included 489 women who gave birth to twins between 2001 and 2013, found that 37.6 percent of the women without adequate weight gain between weeks 20 and 28 gave birth to the twins prior to 32 weeks gestation. Only 15.2 percent of women who gained at least 8 pounds during those weeks gave birth prior to 32 weeks. If the results of this study are confirmed in other studies, the risk of premature birth in a twin pregnancy could be reduced by something as simple as counseling about weight gain during this period of the pregnancy, notes a maternal and fetal medicine specialist.

Currently, approximately half of pregnant women spoke to their obstetrician about weight gain during their pregnancy, according to previous studies. This newest study might be a reason to improve that facet of communication, especially when you consider that preterm birth, which is classified as prior to 37 weeks gestation, can lead to serious problems like cerebral palsy.

Any pregnant woman who feels she hasn’t received adequate prenatal care and had a premature baby or a baby with health issues might be able to seek compensation to help with medical and life care costs. Understanding your rights can help you decide on a course of action.

Source: Huffington Post, “Twins At Risk For Preterm Birth If Not Enough Weight Is Gained During Pregnancy (STUDY)” Rachel Rettner, May. 01, 2014

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