A 22-year-old pregnant woman with a single fetus has a preconception body mass index (BMI) of 24. When she was seen in the clinic at 14 weeks of gestation, she had gained 1.8 kg (4 lb) since conception. How would the nurse interpret this?

Question

1. This large weight gain indicates possible gestational hypertension.
2. This small weight gain indicates that her infant is at risk for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
3. It is impossible to evaluate this weight gain until the woman has been observed for several more weeks.
4. The woman's weight gain is appropriate for this stage of pregnancy.

Answer 1

4
1, 2. Incorrect. Although these are accurate statements, they are not applicable to this scenario. The desirable weight gain during pregnancy varies among women. The primary factor to consider in making a weight gain recommendation is the appropriateness of the prepregnancy weight for the woman's height. A commonly used method of evaluating the appropriateness of weight for height is the body mass index. The woman in the scenario has gained the appropriate amount of weight for her size at this point in her pregnancy.
3. Incorrect. Weight gain should take place throughout the pregnancy. The optimal rate of weight gain depends on the stage of the pregnancy.
4. Correct. This is an accurate statement. This woman's BMI is in the normal range. During the first trimester, the average total weight gain is only 1 to 2.5 kg.