Body Composition in Pregnancy

Abstract

Pregnancy is a unique time when the female body is undergoing physiologic and metabolic changes to support the continual development of the growing fetus. These physiologic and metabolic changes are recognized in gestational weight gain, which includes gains in maternal and fetal masses, as well as growth of placental tissue and alterations in the amniotic fluid pool. The following chapter will highlight the different methods for assessing body composition during pregnancy, as well as highlight the causes and implications of gestational weight gain on both maternal and infant physiology and outcomes. Given the worldwide epidemic of obesity, entering pregnancy at a healthy weight, and maintaining a healthy weight gain during pregnancy according to Institute of Medicine guidelines, has become increasingly important. In fact, 32% of US women aged 20--39 years---the primary window for conception---were classified as obese in 2011 and 2012. Both short- and long-term implications of pre-pregnancy maternal obesity as well as excess gestational weight gain are important to elucidate, as more and more women are classified as such.