278: Maternal weight gain and cesarean delivery rate in nulliparous women with and without diabetes

Diabetes is associated with an increase in risk for cesarean delivery. However, the extent to which this association is influenced by maternal weight gain remains unknown. We sought to determine if maternal weight gain affects cesarean delivery rates. We utilized the US Vital Statistics data for years 1990-2004 restricted to singleton live births and stillbirths at ≥20 weeks to nulliparous women with and without diabetes. Maternal weight gain in pregnancy was stratified into 3 groups: <30, 30-49, and ≥50 lbs. The rate of cesarean delivery was calculated among the different groups of women. The results are summarized in the following table.Tabled 1Maternal weight gain (lbs)Total birthsCesarean (%)Non-diabetics<305,802,48421.130-497,309,28822.6≥501,658,23928.3Diabetics<30178,98637.530-49136,97139.8≥5033,63549.0 Open table in a new tab Our findings suggest that the cesarean delivery rate in nulliparous women with diabetes is considerably high and increases with maternal weight gain. Among non-diabetics, maternal weight gain remains a risk factor for cesarean delivery.