Postpartum behaviour as predictor of weight change from before pregnancy to one year postpartum

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Postpartum weight retention affects many women and increases the risk of becoming overweight. The research objective was to study modifiable factors contributing to weight change at one year postpartum.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this prospective cohort, postpartum behavior, such as physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, and intake of total energy, total fat and saturated fatty acids of 118 Dutch women were assessed in 2003/2004 by self-report at 6 weeks, 6 and 12 months postpartum. Mean postpartum scores were computed for the behavioral measures. In linear regression models it was determined which factors were associated with average weight change from before pregnancy to one year postpartum. Furthermore, factors associated with substantial postpartum weight retention (≥ 5 kg) were also studied in logistic regression models.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At one year postpartum, the average weight of participants had increased by 0.9 kg (SD 4.4). Moreover, 20% of the women retained ≥ 5 kg. Women who perceived themselves more physically active than others were almost ten times less likely to retain ≥ 5 kg than women who perceived themselves equally active (OR = 0.11, 95%CI: 0.02 - 0.66). Exceeding the guideline for saturated fatty acid intake (OR = 3.40, 95%CI: 1.04 - 11.11), total gestational weight gain (OR = 1.14/kg, 95%CI: 1.01 - 1.27), and not having completed post high school education (OR = 5.13, 95%CI: 1.66 - 15.90) increased the odds of retaining ≥ 5 kg.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Since one in five women had substantial weight retention postpartum, effective interventions for the prevention of weight retention are much needed. Future studies should evaluate whether interventions focusing on the identified modifiable postpartum factors are successful in reducing weight retention after childbirth.</p

Does caesarean section negatively influence the post-partum prognosis of low back pain and pelvic pain during pregnancy?

Low back and pelvic pain (LBPP) is prevalent during pregnancy and also post-partum. The aetiology is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations between epidural or spinal anaesthesia and caesarean section (CS) with persistent LBPP half a year after pregnancy. In a previous questionnaire study (n=891) altogether 639 (72%) women had reported LBPP during pregnancy. We sent these respondents a second questionnaire at approximately 6 months post-delivery. The response rate was 72.6% (n=464). The respondents were divided into three groups reporting ‘no pain’, ‘recurrent pain’ and ‘continuous pain’ in relation to LBPP 6 months after delivery. Pearson’s chi-square test was used to test the difference between groups and logistic regression analysis was performed. Forty percent of the respondents had received epidural anaesthesia (EDA) or spinal anaesthesia during delivery and 18.5% of women had been delivered by CS. Epidural or spinal anaesthesia was not associated with persistent LBPP. There was no significant difference in CS rates between different sub-groups. The risk of persistent LBPP was increased three- to fourfold in women delivered by elective CS compared with women delivered by emergency CS. Epidural or spinal anaesthesia was not associated with risk of persistent LBPP. Elective CS was associated with an increased risk of persistent LBPP. However, the results must be interpreted with caution because of a relatively small study sample