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A recent study published in Lancet (9-30-06) found that weight gain occurring between pregnancies increases a woman’s risk for a poor pregnancy outcome.

The researchers studied more than 150,000 Swedish women who gave birth to their first and second babies between 1992 and 2001. Using the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated at the start of each pregnancy, they found that as BMI increased between pregnancies, so did the likelihood of gestational diabetes, cesarean section and stillbirth.

It’s important to note that this type of study can’t show cause and effect, only an association.  Even so, the researchers concluded that it’s not advisable to gain weight between pregnancies.

Bakalar, Nicholas, “Risk Seen in Weight Gain Between Pregnancies.”  New York Times, October 17, 2006.