Background: To evaluate the relationship between stillbirth in singleton pregnancy (> or = 28 weeks gestation) and maternal weight (weight gain) from 24 completed weeks.
Methods: All fetal deaths (n = 210) at five delivery units during seven years in southern Sweden were analysed. To each case a control mother was selected, the only matching criteria being parity and place of delivery. Regression analysis was used for comparison of body weight gain in cases and controls.
Results: Mothers experiencing stillbirth had a significantly lower mean body weight at 24 weeks gestation than control mothers (63.5 kg vs 67.3 kg; t = 2.4, p < 0.05). No significant difference between cases and controls was found in mean weight gain during pregnancy from 24 completed gestational weeks to delivery, even when the last three measurements before delivery for cases and controls were compared separately.
Conclusion: There is no difference in body weight gain between mothers with stillbirth and mothers giving birth to a live infant.