Retention of pregnancy-related weight in the early postpartum period: implications for women's health services

Abstract

Objective: To examine the proportion of women who reached their prepregnant weight at 6 weeks postpartum and the average amount of weight retained or lost by this time; to determine predictors of early (6 week) postpartum weight retention; and to propose related implications for women's health care and services.

Data sources: The literature review was based on a search of Medline for the years 1986 to 2004 using the keywords postpartum weight with inclusion of additional articles known to the authors that did not appear in the electronic search.

Study selection: The resulting 83 articles were scrutinized to identify those that reported data on weight retention at 6 weeks postpartum (range, delivery to 3 months) and associated anthropometric, social, obstetric, or behavioral predictors. A total of 12 articles met inclusion criteria for the review.

Data extraction: Data were extracted related to the proportion of women achieving their postpartum weight at 6 weeks postpartum, the amount of weight retained or lost up to 6 weeks postpartum, and predictors of amount of weight retained or lost.

Data synthesis: On average, at 6 weeks postpartum, women retain 3 to 7 kg of the weight gained during pregnancy, with at least two thirds exceeding their prepregnant weights. Gestational weight gain is the most significant predictor of weight retention.

Conclusions: Women vulnerable to obesity and weight gain need weight-related health care and improved access to such care to promote weight loss after 6 weeks postpartum.