Pregnancy Following Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity: Effect of Surgery-to-Conception Interval on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes

Background Conception is discouraged during the period of maximal weight loss following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) because of speculative maternal and fetal concerns. We therefore performed a retrospective cohort study of obstetrical and neonatal outcomes by surgery-to-conception interval. Methods Women with RYGB were stratified into two groups by surgery-to-conception interval of <= 18 or >18 months. Pregnancy and newborn outcomes excluding miscarriages were compared using the chi-square or unpaired t-test for dichotomous and continuous variables, respectively. Results Twenty subjects conceived <= 18 months (11.4 +/- 5.0) and 32 conceived >18 months (47.5 +/- 41) after RYGB, p<.05. Maternal age, parity, body mass index, and weight gain were similar by group. There were no statistically significant differences in adverse obstetrical outcomes (preterm premature membrane rupture, gestational diabetes, oligohydramnios, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm or post-term delivery) or adverse newborn outcomes (5-min Apgar score<7, intensive care admission, or birth defect). Conclusion Obstetrical and neonatal outcomes are similar in women conceiving during or after the period of maximal weight loss following RYGB.