Lifestyle: Weight                                                 

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Women should be counseled, as follows, with respect to their BMI about their nutritional status and its effect on their reproductive future . . .

 

 

Underweight

 

Underweight women should be evaluated for presence of an eating disorder. If one is detected or suspected, the patient should be referred to a specialist for further evaluation and treatment. If one is not suspected, the patient should be counseled that she should try to increase her BMI to within the normal range.

 

Of note, the Institute of Medicine recommends a BMI of >19.8 for an ideal prepregnancy cutoff point. Low prepregnancy weight is associated with serious health risks for both mother and child:

Preterm birth

Low birthweight

IUGR

Gastroschisis

 

Normal

 

Women should be congratulated on achieving a healthy / normal weight and counseled on the importance of maintaining it throughout their lives, especially during times they are trying to conceive as well as post-partum.