Final answer:
Low gestational weight gain can lead to undernutrition and low birthweight, increasing risks of disease, developmental delays, and infant mortality. Placental insufficiency often contributes to these outcomes. Healthy postnatal growth is critical to avoid long-term health issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The consequences of low gestational weight gain include undernutrition and low birthweight, potentially leading to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Babies with low birth weight (< 2.5 kg or 5.5 lb) are at a higher risk of disease and infant mortality. Those who survive are more likely to experience slow growth and developmental delays. Additionally, low birthweight can be an outcome of pre-term birth or not growing adequately in the womb, even if born at full term.
Placental insufficiency is a common cause of IUGR, hindering proper transfer of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. Immediately after birth, the weight of a neonate might decrease due to normal fluid loss, but a healthy neonate should start gaining weight within the first week. Persistent low birth weight and growth deficits in the first year can lead to permanent size deficits and risk of later obesity.
During pregnancy, a woman's anatomy undergoes significant changes, such as abdominal enlargement and increased blood volume, contributing to weight gain. However, only a small portion of pregnancy weight gain is attributed to fat storage, which serves as energy for increased metabolic demand during breastfeeding.