Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This research investigated associations between rate of gestational weight gain (GWG; "below recommended rate," "within recommended rate," and "exceeding recommended rate") and increased risk of cesarean delivery for women across a range of body mass index (BMI) categories (underweight, normal, overweight, obesity classes I, II, and III). STUDY DESIGN: We used vital records data from the National Center for Health Statistics to include nulliparous, singleton term births with cephalic presentation (n=7,891,653) to women who gave birth in the United States from 2014 through 2022. We evaluated the association of GWG on mode of birth (cesarean vs. vaginal delivery) using multivariable linear probability (categorical GWG) and generalized additive (continuous GWG) models. RESULTS: Approximately 26% of births were by cesarean delivery and 65% exceeded the recommended rate of GWG. Risk of cesarean delivery increased as BMI increased, and those in pre-pregnancy BMI above normal categories had higher risk of cesarean delivery. Excessive GWG (EGWG) increased the risk of cesarean delivery for all women, but the effect was more pronounced in those with a higher pre-pregnancy BMI. Among women whose BMI was underweight or normal, GWG had a J-shaped relationship with cesarean delivery risk, while women whose pre-pregnancy BMI was categorized as overweight or obese demonstrated a relatively linear increase in risk with any GWG. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide valuable insights on EGWG and increased risk of cesarean delivery for women across BMI categories. Additional efforts are needed at both the patient and provider level to reduce EGWG and the risk of cesarean delivery.