Introduction Maternal obesity and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) affect the outcomes of women and their offspring. Our aim was to evaluate population-based data from Germany. Material and Methods Data from 583 633/791 514 mother-child pairs obtained from the perinatal database in Hesse for the period from 2000 to 2015 were used after excluding incomplete or non-plausible datasets. Early-stage pregnancy maternal body mass index (BMI) and GWG were evaluated. Significant outcome changes were calculated using linear or logistic regression models. Results The mean maternal age increased from 29.9 to 31.28 years; GWG increased from 445.1 to 457.2 g/week (p < 0.01). Similarly, rates for both overweight and obesity rose from 31.5 to 37.5% (p < 0.001). Cesarean section rates rose from 22.8 to 33.2% (p < 0.001) and rates of postpartum hemorrhage increased from 0.6 to 1% (p < 0.001). There was no significant change in the rates for stillbirth or perinatal mortality (p = 0.92 and p = 0.53 respectively), but there was an increase in the rates of admissions to neonatal intensive care units from 7.8 to 9.5% (p < 0.0001). The percentage of newborns with an Apgar score of < 7 at 5 minutes increased from 1 to 1.1% (p < 0.01) and the rate of neonates with an umbilical artery pH of < 7.1 rose from 1.7 to 2.4% (p < 0.01). Conclusions In just 15 years, pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG rates of women with singleton pregnancies have increased, and this increase has been accompanied by a significant rise in the rate of cesarean sections and a significant worsening of short-term maternal and neonatal outcomes. It is time to discuss the risks and the short-term and more worrying long-term consequences for mothers and their offspring and the future impact on our healthcare system.

Introduction Studies on maternal weight, gestational weight gain and associated outcomes in twin pregnancies are scarce. Therefore, we analyzed these items in a large cohort. Methods Data from 10,603/13,725 total twin pregnancies from the perinatal database in Hessen, Germany between 2000 and 2015 were used after exclusion of incomplete or non-plausible data sets. The course of maternal and perinatal outcomes was evaluated by linear and logistic regression models. Results The rate of twin pregnancies increased from 1.5 to 1.9% (p < 0.00001). Mean maternal age and pre-pregnancy weight rose from 31.4 to 32.9 years and from 68.2 to 71.2 kg, respectively (p < 0.001). The rates of women with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 increased from 11.9 to 16.9% with a mean of 24.4–25.4 kg/m2 (p < 0.001). The overall increase of maternal weight/week was 568 g, the 25th quartile was 419, the 75th quartile 692 g/week. The total and secondary caesareans increased from 68.6 to 73.3% and from 20.6 to 39.8%, respectively (p < 0.001). Rates of birthweight < 1500 g and of preterm birth < 28 and from 28 to 33 + 6 weeks all increased (p < 0.01). No significant changes were observed in the rates of stillbirth, perinatal mortality and NICU admissions. Conclusion The global trend of the obesity epidemic is equally observed in German twin pregnancies. The increase of mean maternal weight and the calculated quartiles specific for twin pregnancies help to identify inadequate weight gain in twin gestations. Policy makers should be aware of future health risks specified for singleton and twin gestations.

Objective This retrospective cohort study analyzes risk factors for abnormal pre-pregnancy body mass index and abnormal gestational weight gain in twin pregnancies. Methods Data from 10 603/13 682 twin pregnancies were analyzed using uni- and multivariable logistic regression models to determine risk factors for abnormal body mass index and weight gain in pregnancy. Results Multiparity was associated with pre-existing obesity in twin pregnancies (aOR: 3.78, 95% CI: 2.71 – 5.27). Working in academic or leadership positions (aOR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.45 – 0.72) and advanced maternal age (aOR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.95 – 0.98) were negatively associated with maternal obesity. Advanced maternal age was associated with a lower risk for maternal underweight (aOR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92 – 0.99). Unexpectedly, advanced maternal age (aOR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96 – 0.99) and multiparity (aOR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.41 – 0.88) were also associated with lower risks for high gestational weight gain. Pre-existing maternal underweight (aOR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.07 – 2.24), overweight (aOR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.39 – 1.86), obesity (aOR: 3.09, 95% CI: 2.62 – 3.65) and multiparity (aOR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.23 – 2.18) were all associated with low weight gain. Women working as employees (aOR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.73 – 0.98) or in academic or leadership positions were less likely to have a low gestational weight gain (aOR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.64 – 0.93). Conclusion Risk factors for abnormal body mass index and gestational weight gain specified for twin pregnancies are relevant to identify pregnancies with increased risks for poor maternal or neonatal outcome and to improve their counselling. Only then, targeted interventional studies in twin pregnancies which are desperately needed can be performed.

Introduction To date, there have only been provisional recommendations about the appropriate gestational weight gain in twin pregnancies. This study aimed to contribute evidence to this gap of knowledge. Material and methods Using a cohort of 10 603 twin pregnancies delivered between 2000 and 2015 in the state of Hessen, Germany, the individual and combined impact of maternal body mass index and gestational weight gain on maternal and neonatal outcomes was analyzed using uni‐ and multivariable logistic regression models. The analysis used newly defined population‐based quartiles of gestational weight gain in women carrying twin pregnancies (Q1: <419.4 g/week [low weight gain], Q2–Q3: 419.4–692.3 g/week [optimal weight gain], Q4: >692.3 g/week [high weight gain]) and the World Health Organization body mass index classification. Results Pre‐pregnancy body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 was associated with significantly increased rates of cesarean deliveries (aOR1.2, 95% CI: 1.01–1.41) and pregnancy‐induced hypertensive disorders (aOR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.11–2.1) but not with any adverse neonatal outcome. Perinatal mortality (aOR 2.23, 95% CI: 1.38–3.6), preterm birth (aOR 1.88, 95% CI: 1.58–2.25), APGAR′5 < 7 (aOR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.19–2.17) and admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit (aOR 1.6, CI: 1.38–1.85) were increased among women with low gestational weight gain. Rates of cesarean deliveries were high in both women with low (aOR 1.25, 95% CI: 1.05–1.48) and high gestational weight gain (aOR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01–1.35). A high gestational weight gain was also associated with higher rates of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (aOR 2.32, 95% CI: 1.79–3.02) and postpartum hemorrhage (aOR 1.72, 95%CI: 1.12–2.63). The risk of preterm birth, low Apgar scores and NICU admissions showed a converse linear relation with pre‐pregnancy body mass index in women with low gestational weight gain. Conclusions In twin pregnancies, nonoptimal weekly maternal weight gain seems to be strongly associated with maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes. Since gestational weight gain is a modifiable risk factor, health care providers have the opportunity to counsel pregnant women with twins and target their care accordingly. Additional research to confirm the validity and generalizability of our findings in different populations is warranted.

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