Gestational weight gain patterns as predictors of cesarean deliveries in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract Background Obesity and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) have been linked to an increased risk of cesarean section. However, existing literature primarily focuses on weight gain during individual trimesters, lacking a comprehensive assessment of GWG trajectories across all three trime...

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Main Authors: Tzu-Ling Chen, Su-Fen Cheng, Chien-Lin Kuo, Chu-Yu Huang, Chia-Hsun Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07222-x
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author Tzu-Ling Chen
Su-Fen Cheng
Chien-Lin Kuo
Chu-Yu Huang
Chia-Hsun Wu
author_facet Tzu-Ling Chen
Su-Fen Cheng
Chien-Lin Kuo
Chu-Yu Huang
Chia-Hsun Wu
author_sort Tzu-Ling Chen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Obesity and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) have been linked to an increased risk of cesarean section. However, existing literature primarily focuses on weight gain during individual trimesters, lacking a comprehensive assessment of GWG trajectories across all three trimesters. This study aimed to investigate the impact of pre-pregnancy BMI and changes in GWG trajectories from the first to the third trimester on cesarean section in women with confirmed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods This retrospective cohort study enrolled 947 women with GDM who delivered between January 2012 and July 2022 in northern Taiwan. GDM was diagnosed by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) during 24–28 weeks of gestation. Body mass index cut-offs were based on Asian-specific guidelines. The weekly GWG rate was based on baseline weight and weight at two follow-up measurements. GWG patterns were identified using group-based trajectory modeling analysis (GBTM). Results Gestational weight gain patterns were classified into two groups during the pregnancy period: group 1 (non-rapid excessive weight gain) and group 2 (rapid excessive weight gain), comprising 70.2% and 29.8% of participants, respectively. Our study found that being pre-pregnancy underweight and experiencing rapid excessive weight gain contributed to cesarean section. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that pre-pregnancy normal body mass index (OR = 2.06; 95% CI: 1.08–3.92) and being overweight/obese (OR = 4.04; 95%CI: 2.12–7.70) were associated with the incidence of cesarean sections. Multiparous women and women with a trajectory of rapid excessive weight gain were more likely to undergo cesarean sections. Conclusions Healthcare professionals should provide education on weight management from pre-pregnancy to pregnancy to reduce the incidence of cesarean sections. Particular attention should be paid to women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) who exhibit rapid excessive weight gain to minimize the risk of cesarean delivery.
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spelling doaj-art-d971a55f6e1643ae8b494805ae6231fe2025-02-02T12:46:58ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932025-01-012511910.1186/s12884-025-07222-xGestational weight gain patterns as predictors of cesarean deliveries in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitusTzu-Ling Chen0Su-Fen Cheng1Chien-Lin Kuo2Chu-Yu Huang3Chia-Hsun Wu4Department of Nurse-Midwifery and Women’s Health, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health SciencesDepartment of Allied Health Education and Digital Learning, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health SciencesDepartment of Allied Health Education and Digital Learning, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health SciencesSchool of Nursing, Cedarville UniversityObstetrician and Gynecologist, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cheng-Hsin General HospitalAbstract Background Obesity and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) have been linked to an increased risk of cesarean section. However, existing literature primarily focuses on weight gain during individual trimesters, lacking a comprehensive assessment of GWG trajectories across all three trimesters. This study aimed to investigate the impact of pre-pregnancy BMI and changes in GWG trajectories from the first to the third trimester on cesarean section in women with confirmed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods This retrospective cohort study enrolled 947 women with GDM who delivered between January 2012 and July 2022 in northern Taiwan. GDM was diagnosed by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) during 24–28 weeks of gestation. Body mass index cut-offs were based on Asian-specific guidelines. The weekly GWG rate was based on baseline weight and weight at two follow-up measurements. GWG patterns were identified using group-based trajectory modeling analysis (GBTM). Results Gestational weight gain patterns were classified into two groups during the pregnancy period: group 1 (non-rapid excessive weight gain) and group 2 (rapid excessive weight gain), comprising 70.2% and 29.8% of participants, respectively. Our study found that being pre-pregnancy underweight and experiencing rapid excessive weight gain contributed to cesarean section. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that pre-pregnancy normal body mass index (OR = 2.06; 95% CI: 1.08–3.92) and being overweight/obese (OR = 4.04; 95%CI: 2.12–7.70) were associated with the incidence of cesarean sections. Multiparous women and women with a trajectory of rapid excessive weight gain were more likely to undergo cesarean sections. Conclusions Healthcare professionals should provide education on weight management from pre-pregnancy to pregnancy to reduce the incidence of cesarean sections. Particular attention should be paid to women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) who exhibit rapid excessive weight gain to minimize the risk of cesarean delivery.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07222-xCesarean sectionGestational weight gainGestational diabetes mellitusGroup-based trajectory modelingRetrospective cohort study
spellingShingle Tzu-Ling Chen
Su-Fen Cheng
Chien-Lin Kuo
Chu-Yu Huang
Chia-Hsun Wu
Gestational weight gain patterns as predictors of cesarean deliveries in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Cesarean section
Gestational weight gain
Gestational diabetes mellitus
Group-based trajectory modeling
Retrospective cohort study
title Gestational weight gain patterns as predictors of cesarean deliveries in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus
title_full Gestational weight gain patterns as predictors of cesarean deliveries in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus
title_fullStr Gestational weight gain patterns as predictors of cesarean deliveries in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus
title_full_unstemmed Gestational weight gain patterns as predictors of cesarean deliveries in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus
title_short Gestational weight gain patterns as predictors of cesarean deliveries in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus
title_sort gestational weight gain patterns as predictors of cesarean deliveries in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus
topic Cesarean section
Gestational weight gain
Gestational diabetes mellitus
Group-based trajectory modeling
Retrospective cohort study
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07222-x
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