© Kamla-Raj 2009 J Hum Ecol, 25(2): 133-136 (2009) Influence of Maternal Factors on Mode of Delivery and Birth Weight in Urban Pregnant Women Vijayalaxmi K. G. and Asna Urooj* ATIC, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore 560 024, Karnataka, India *Department of Studies in Food Science and Nutrition, University of Mysore Manasagangotri, Mysore 570 006, Karnataka, India KEYWORDS Pregnant Women. Body Mass Index. Mode of Delivery. Birth Weight. Morbidity. Nutrition Education ABSTRACT Pregnancy is one of the most critical and unique period in a woman’s life cycle. The present longitudinal study was undertaken to assess the influence of certain factors on mode of delivery and birth weight in urban pregnant women visiting hospitals for regular ANC check-up. The sample size included 100 pregnant women. Information was collected on age, type of family, education, income, parity, medical history, obstetric history, meal pattern and morbidity status by personal interview method using questionnaire. Mode of delivery was noted using hospital records. Birth weight of neonates was taken within two days of birth. Majority of the subjects (82%) were using mixed type of diet. non vegetarians. Fever was the most common ailment reported. The influence of the factors like maternal age and parity on mode of delivery and also the influence of maternal age and birth weight were found to be non significant. Significant association was observed between maternal age and the body mass index (p >0.05). The study revealed that the basic nutrition education is very essential for women in order to maintain a normal body mass index during the prime child bearing age. INTRODUCTION Pregnancy is one of the most critical and unique period in a woman’s life cycle. It is regarded as ‘welcome event’ for successful womanhood. Data from NNMB show that a significant percentage of adult women in the reproductive period are at high risk with increased likelihood of obstetric complications and low birth weight offspring. Despite improvements in life expectancy, percent reduction in infant mortality and child mortality over the years, there is high proportion of low birth weight infants (Kharade and Antony 2002).Further low birth weight babies tend to become insulin resistant and likely to develop insulin resistance syndromes, diabetes, hypertension and abnormal blood lipids in the later part of their life (Thame et al.1997). Mode of delivery and birth weight are considered as one of the important and reliable parameters in the evaluation of pregnancy and neonatal well being. A number of factors influence the pregnancy outcome such as age of mothers, educational status, food habits, earlier reproductive performance etc. Hence, the present longitudinal study was undertaken to know the influence of certain factors on mode of delivery and birth weight. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 100 pregnant women visiting private and Government Hospitals of Bangalore urban were selected on the basis of their willingness to participate in the study. The information on age, type of family, education, income, parity, family medical history, previous obstetric history, dietary habits, and morbidity status etc. were collected by using personal interview method. The measurements for height and weight of the pregnant women were taken as per the standard procedures. The body mass index was calculated using the standard formula. The birth weight of the infants was taken recorded in hospital within two days. Mode of delivery was noted from hospital records. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION More number of women in the study group were in the young, in the prime reproductive period age category. i.e.< 22 years of age (37%) followed by >25 years (32%). Maximum women belonged to Hindu religion (98%). Majority of women were Address for Correspondence: Vijayalaxmi. K.G., Assistant Professor, ATIC, Directorate of Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Hebbal Campus, Bangalore 560 024, Karnataka, India Telephone: 23549687/23513093