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Background and Objective: There are some factors including socio-demographic, maternal and nutritional variables reported to influence the growth of children in the first two years of life. The aim of this study was to determine some factors related to undesirable growth of 6 months–2years old children in Tabriz-Iran. Materials and Methods: In this case - control study 233 children with undesirable growth as cases, and 412 children with desirable growth as controls selected in five primary health care centers in Tabriz city in North-West of Iran during 2007. A questionnaire which included some questions regarding demographic characteristics, fertility history, and nutritional status was filled by using face -to - face interview with selected children’s mother. The influence of different factors on undesirable growth was evaluated with a logistic regression model by using SPSS-14 and EPI-2000 software. Results: Having any disease during two monitoring (OR=4.23, 95% CI: 2.95-6.07, P<0.001), type of pregnancy (unwanted) (OR=1.87, 95% CI: 1.20-2.93, P<0.006), gender (girl) (OR=1.51, 95%CI: 1.05-2.17, P<0.025), low birth weight (OR=1.0, 95% CI: 0.99-1.01, P<0.097) and having conflict in the family (OR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.01-1.47, P<0.045) associated with undesirable growth. Conclusion: This study determined having any disease, type of pregnancy, sex of child and low birth weight related with undesirable growth of 6 months –2years old children. Using safe family planning methods and help to reduce unwanted pregnancy, parental training about the nutritional requirements of children particularly during period of disease, is recommended in order to enhance the health of children.

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Background and Objective: Placenta previa (PP) is a common cause of pri-partum bleeding leading to high mortality and morbidity in mothers and neonates. This study was conducted to determine risk factors and outcomes of PP in Golestan province of Iran. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was done on pregnant women admitted for deliverly to the Dezyani hospital of Gorgan, Iran during 2002-07. All PP cases were recruited as case group and 251 non-PP ones were entered into the study as control group. Student t-test and Chi-Square test were used to assess the relationship between variables. Results: In this study out of 33473 pregnant cases, 82 women (0.24%) had PP. The mean (±SD) age of mothers with PP was 28.5 (±6.2) years. There was a significant correlation between PP and delivery method (P<0.05). History of cesarean section was significantly higher in cases than controls (P<0.05). The prevalence of hysterectomy due to PP was significantly higher in women with history of cesarean section (24%) than other ones (5%) (P<0.05). Conclusion: We found a significant relationship between history of cesarean section and hysterectomy due to PP. Therefore, PP should be considered in women with a history of cesarean section.

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Background and Objective: The pregnancy period is very sensitive and complicative stages of life. It has been shown that addictive drugs such as ecstasy (MDMA: Methylene Dioxy Metha Amphetamine) can interfere in this stage. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Methylene Dioxy Metha Amphetamine administration during pregnancy on reproductive system of BALB/c mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 10 and 5 female BALB/c mice were randomly selected as cases and controls, respectively. The pregnancy was induced following ovarian hyperstimulation with PMSG and hCG followed by mating with male animals. MDMA (5 mg/kg) and saline was injected intraperitoneally in day 7 and 14 of pregnancy in experimental and controls, respectively. The ovarian structure, as well as uterine tube, uterine horns and body, and vagina were studied histologically using light microscopy 27 days post delivery date. Data analyzed by using SPSS-17 and Chi-Square and Fisher exact test. Results: The rate of primary follicles was decreased from 18.42% in experimental to 33.33% in controls (P<0.05). The rate of mature follicles was significantly increased in experimental mice as compared to controls (P<0.05). The number of atretic bodies was lower in experimental than controls. The cellular alterations were observed in some portions of uterine tubes and uterine horns after ecstasy administration. However, no alterations observed in other parts of reproductive system. Conclusion: This study showed that MDMA cause some structural alterations in the uterine tubes and uterine horns, increase follicular maturation and reduction of follicular atresia in BALB/c mice.

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Background and Objective: Domestic violence can place mother and fetus at risk. This issue can be prevented through education and basic knowledge. This study carried out to determine the frequency and severity of domestic violence in pregnant women referred to health centers in Arak, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was done on 400 pregnant women referring in health centers in Arak North-West of Iran during 2009. This research was implemented through questionnaires including the demographic chracteristic aspects of physical violence, emotional, verbal and financial severity and the factors effected violence on pregnant women. Data was analyzed using Chi-Square, one way ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: The overall prevalence of violence during pregnancy was 34.5%. For this rate, 56%, 48%, 23% and 11% were emotional violence, verbal, financial and physical violences, respectively. Marrige age (P<0.035), partnership lenght (P<0.018), family history of marriage (P<0.001), education (P<0.001), occupation of woman and husband (P<0.001) with the outbreak of violence during pregnancy were significantly associated. Conclusion: This study indicated that the frequency of domestic violence in pregnant women is high, therefore it is sugested women clinic to be established to protect pregnant women suffering from domestic violence during pregnancy.

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Background and Objective: Nausea and vomiting are the most frequent complications in the first trimester of pregnancy. Herbal medicine is among the traditional effective treatments. Ginger and Chamomile are hypothesized to be useful in decreasing the signs. This study was done to determine the effect of Ginger and Chamomile capsules on nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

Materials and Methods: This triple-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial was carried out on 105 pregnant women in 6-16 weeks of gestational age with a mild to moderate nausea and vomiting, whome referred to the prenatal care clinic in Dezyani hospital and health centers, Gorgan, Northern Iran during 2009-10. Rhodes index questionnaire had been given to all participants to be completed before bed-time for two weeks. In the first week no intervention was done and prescribing the capsules was started the following week. Subjects randomly divided into 3 groups: In group 1, ginger capsules were consumped twice a day for one week, in group 2 twice daily chamomile capsule and in placebo group, glucose capsule was prescribed. Scores were calculated and all data were entered into the SPSS-16 software, analysis was done using variance analysis, Will-Cockson, paired T and Fisher-exact tests.

Results: The mean of Rhodes index before intervention in plasbo, Ginger and Chamomile groups were 12.71±5.88, 10.42±0.76 and 11.19±5.51, respectively. Also, the mean of Rhodes index after intervention in plasbo, Ginger and Chamomile groups were 11.47±6.43, 7.28±3.74 and 5.73±4.32, respectively (P<0.05). Bonferroni test indicated that there is no difference about scor chang (after and before) between Ginger and Chamomile and Ginger and plasbo, but this difference was significant between Chamomile and plasbo group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed that Chamomile capsule was more effective on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy compared to Ginger.

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Background and Objective: Unwanted pregnancy can have negative impacts on maternal health. The aim of this study was to compare the health status of women with wanted and unwanted pregnancies in Kerman, Iran.

Materials and Methods: This case – control was performed on women with wanted (100 cases) and unwanted pregnancies (100 cases) whom refered to health centers in Kerman, Iran during 2010. The tool for data collection included a demographic questionnaire, short form 36 health survey (SF36) and a researcher-made pregnancy’s  physical health. Validity and reliability of the questionnaires were assessed initially prior to study procedure. Data was analyzed by using SPSS-16, Chi-Square, T Student and Mann-Whitney tests.

Results: Women with unwanted pregnancies had lower scores for physical and mental health, vaccination and supplement consumption, prenatal care and personal health than women with wanted pregnancies (P<0.05). Women with unwanted pregnancies had more complications and high risk behavior compared to unwanted pregnancies (P<0.05).

Conclusion: This study indicated that unwanted pregnancies are accompanied with physical and mental health. Thus, special counseling and extra care measures is recommended during unwanted pregnancies. Pregnancy

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Background and Objective: The incidence of ectopic pregnancy is increasing due to artificial reproductive technology and increasing rate of sexual transmitted diseases. Ectopic pregnancy is the most common cause of maternal mortality in the first trimester and it reduces the chance of future successful pregnancy. Identifying the risk factors can help to reduce the maternal mortality and morbidity due to early diagnosis and on time treatment. This study was carried out to assess the risk factors in ectopic pregnancy in northern, Iran. Materials and Methods: This case control study was carreid out on 150 patients with ectopic pregnancy as cases and 300 women with normal pregnancy as controls. The subjects were selected from teaching hospital in Babol in northern Iran, during 2005-09. The risk factors include history of tuble surgery, ectopic pregnancy, cesarean section, pregnancy with IUD, infertility, assisted fertility with IUI, multiple partener, pre-eighteen years marriages were recorded for each subject by direct interview and file. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and Chi-Square and exat Fisher tests. Results: Theraputic assisted fertility with IUI (95% CI: 3.02-185.09, OR: 23.6, P<0.05), previous ectopic pregnancy (95% CI: 1.90-73.94, OR: 8.19, P<0.05) and cesarean section history (95% CI: 1.1-2.6, OR: 1.7, P<0.05) increased the possibility of ectopic pregnancy. There was not significant differnces between pre- eighteen years marriages, infertility history and multiple partener in cases compared to controls. Conclusion: This study showed that assisted fertility with IUI, previous tubal surgery, pregnancy with IUD, previous ectopic pregnancy and cesarean section are the main risk factors of ectopic pregnancy in northern, Iran.

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Background and Objective: Passive smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of pregnancy complications. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between self-reported exposure to passive smoking and urinary cotinine level of the pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 108 non-smoker pregnant women referred to Arash hospital in Tehran, Iran for delivery during 2010. A questionnaire including smoke exposure during pregnancy was completed for all the participants. Urine samples were collected from the mothers in the delivery room. The urinary cotinine levels was measured by ELISA method. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16, Student t-test, Chi-Square and one-way ANOVA tests. The Kappa test was used to evaluate the variability of mothers which report exposure to passive smoking with maternal urinary cotinine level. Results: The geometric mean cotinine of the maternal urine in the exposed group (27.4±29.96 ng/ml) was significantly higher than the non-exposed group (0.75±2.29 ng/ml) (P<0.05). There was a significant association between maternal reports of cigarette smoke exposure and urinary cotinine (Kappa=96%) (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study indicated that there is a relationship between maternal self-reporting and urinary cotinine level during pregnancy.

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Background and Objective: Electromagnetic waved generated by electronic industries and the increasing use of electrical appliances have led to higher rise in chronic exposure to extremely-low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF). This study was done to investigate the effects of low electromagnetic field on mice embryos development. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, eighty female NMRI mice were super ovulated and coupled with male mated over the night. Next morning the female mice with a vaginal plug were identified as pregnant mice. Animals allocated into 2 groups control group was not exposed to EMF and animals in case group exposed to 50 Hz and amp 1.2 mT EMF the pregnant mice were scarified by cervical dislocation at 24, 72, 81, 96, 110 and 120 hours. Embryos were subsequently obtained from the mice by flashing the fallopian tubule and uterus horn. Data were analyzed using SPSS-13.5, ANOVA and student’s t-tests. Results: The number of 2, 3-4 cells and 5-8 of embryo cells and blastocyst decreased in case group compared to controls, but these reduction were not significant. The number of morula in cases significantly reduced in comparison with control group (P<0.05). The average number of fragmented blastocyst in experimental groups siginficantly increased compared to control group (P<0.05). The number of inner cell mass and trophoectoderm in experimental group significantly reduced in comparison with controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: The exposure of extremely-low electromagnetic field in pregnancy reduces the number of morula, inner cell mass and trophoectoderm.

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The latest reported incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to aneurysms and arterio-venous malformations (AVMs) is around 15 per 100,000 pregnancies. It is also the third leading cause of maternal death from non obstetric causes accounting for 12% of total mortality. A pregnant woman with 42 years old G5P4Lch4 had vaginal delivery in 12 Aug 2009. One week after delivery she was visited by General Physician due to headache. She was admitted with signs of dizinous, vomiting projectile and painful stimuli, hospital consciousness level 5 and coma. CT scan was demonstrated a massive bleeding inside the brain. Massive hemorrhage into the ventricle was detected following neurosurgery. She was dead due to cardiac arrest after 10 days. Based on this case report, woman with headache following delivery should be recommended for cerebral aneurysm.

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Background and Objective: Some studies have shown that pregnant women with abnormal glucose challenge test (GCT) and normal oral glucose challenge test (OGTT) have the chance of adverse pregnancy outcomes including macrosomia, pre-eclampsia and increase of cesarean section rate. This study was performed to determine the pregnancy outcomes in women with abnormal glucose challenge test. Materials and Methods: This case –control study was done on 60 pregnant women with abnormal GCT (more than 130 mg/dl) and normal OGTT and 67 pregnant women with normal GCT (less than 130 mg/dl) in Kermanshah ,Iran during September 2010-March 2011. Results: Delivery with Vacum, polyhydroamnus, pre-eclampsia pyelonephritis and low birth weight significantly was higher in cases than controls (P<0.05). But there was a non significant difference in stillbirth, neonatal abnormality, neonatal respiratory distress and shoulder dystocia between case and control groups. Conclusion: Polyhydramnious, pre‌eclampsia and pyelonephrities and low birth weight are more frequent in pregnant women with abnormal GCT and normal OGTT in compare to pregnant women with normal GCT.

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Background and Objective: Overweight, obesity and ethnicity are effective factors on pregnancy complications. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between third tri-mester body mass index (BMI) with maternal and neonatal complications. Methods: This descriptive analytic study was conducted on 551 pregnant women in third tri-mester with Fars, Sistani and Turkman ethnicities in Sayad Shirazi teaching hospital in Gorgan, north of Iran during 2012. BMI calculated at the time of labor admission and the subjects categorized into three groups of normal / underweight, overweight and obese. Results: The mean of maternal age among Fars, Sistani and Turkman ethnic groups were 26.5±5.5, 24.6±5.3 and 26.2±5.2 years, respectively. The mean of gestational age among Fars, Sistani and Turkman ethnic groups were 38.4±2.3, 38.6±2.3 and 37.4±3.2 weeks, respectively. A significant relationship was found between BMI and cesarean section and labor dystocia in Fars and Sistani ethnic groups, respectively (P<0.05), while no relationship was found between BMI and neonatal complications. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity in Fars ethnicity are at risk of cesarean section and those with Sistani ethnicity are at risk of labor dystocia.

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Background and Objective: The kidney has a key role in homeostatic regulation. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is essential regulator of stimulatory and inhibitory processes for neonatal, post-natal endothelial cell differentiation. This study was done to determine the effect of maternal swimming during pregnancy on VEGF level of kidney in rat pups. Methods: In this experimental study, sixteen Wistar rat dams were allocated into interventional swimming and control groups. In the first day of pregnancy, in interventional group, swimming was performed for 30 minutes a day and 5 minutes every day was added until the time of training gradually reached to one hour per workout. Dams swimming endurance training were performed in 5 days per week for three weeks. Pups’ kidneys were removed two days after birth and kindney tissue VEGF level was determined using ELISA method. Results: Kidney tissue VEGF level in interventional swimming group (133.13 pg/ml) was significantly increased in compared to controls (48.19 pg/ml) (P<0.05). Conclusion: Swimming endurance training increases the pups’ kidney VEGF level.

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Background and Objective: Pregnancy can not only protect mothers against intimate partner violence but even it may increase the rate and severity of intimate partner violence. This study was done to determine the intimate partner violence during pregnancy in the Northern Iran. Method: This cross-sectional - analytical study was done on 1500 mothers whom attended the primary health centers of Mazandaran province, Northern Iran from Feb to Sep 2010. Mothers screened using modified standard world health organization intimate partner violence questionnaire via interview. The questionnaire included physical, emotional and sexual intimate partner violence. Intimate partner violence was categorized to severe, moderate and mild. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictor of intimate partner violence. Results: The most common intimate partner violence was restriction of mothers in terms of money, food, and clothing (88.8%). The prevalence of physical, psychological and sexual intimate partner violence was 14.1%, 69.9% and 10.8%, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio for physical intimate partner violence in mothers with low education and low socio-economic status were significantly higher in those mothers with high education and fair socio-economic status (P<0.05). Conclusion: Mild psychological intimate partner violence is prevalent in Mazandran province, North of Iran.

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Background and Objective: Pregnancy is a period of women’s life which is usually associated with reducing maternal daily physical activity. However, maintaining adequate daily physical activity is important for mother and fetus. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between exercise before and during pregnancy and gestational diabete mellitus (GDM).

Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 80 pregnant women with gestational diabete mellitus and 57 non-diabetic pregnant women. Physical activity during one and eight years before, and first and second trimesters of pregnancy was recorded through interview.

Results: Regular participation in exercise activities in non-diabetic women were significantly more than diabetic women during all periods (P<0.05). Regular participation in exercise during one year before and second trimester of pregnancy was inversely correlated to GDM (P<0.05). Energy expenditure of second trimester of pregnancy was significantly correlated to reduce GDM (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Regular exercise before and during pregnancy can be effective in reducing the probability of GDM. Exercise during one year before and especially second trimester of pregnancy are more important predictors of GDM.

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Background and Objective: Gum diseases and dental caries are the most prevalent diseases in societies with different cultures particularly among pregnant women. This study was done to evaluate the oral health status of pregnant women in Gonbad Kavous, northern Iran.

Methods: This descriptive - analytical study was conducted on 400 pregnant women aged 20 to 40 years old in Gonbad Kavous, northern Iran during 2010-11. Demographic and oral examination information was recorded in a chick list. The obtained data were evaluated by DMFT index (Decay, Missing, and Filling Teeth) and OHI-S index (Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified).

Results: The average of DMFT index was 3.29±6.21. There was a significant difference between the place of birth and place of residence of pregnant women with DMFT index (P<0.05). The average of OHI-S index in pregnant women was moderate (0.88±1.36). There was a significant difference between the location of residence and the level of education of pregnant women with OHI-S index (P<0.05). The most important factor to increase DMFT index was the high average of decayed teeth among pregnant women. Regarding the method and duration of observing oral hygiene, the most correct answers were related to method of cleaning teeth (toothbrush and toothpaste) and the least ones were related to the duration of cleaning (3-5 minutes).

Conclusion: DMFT index was high in pregnant women in northern Iran.

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Background and Objective: For many reasons, having children with the desired gender has long been a concern for human societies. Some studies have shown the effect of a maternal diet pregnancy on gender ratios. Considering that during the holy month of Ramadan, women's diet is undergoing a major change, and studies about the association of such diet change, especially the mother's fasting, on the gender of the fetus are rare and the results have contradictory; the present study, was conducted, to investigate the relationship of mother's fasting in the follicular phase of the last menstrual cycle and gender of newborn.
Methods: This descriptive - analytical study was conducted on 139 pregnant women who had started their last menstrual period before their pregnancy during Ramadan and referred to midwifery clinic of Sayyad Shirazi hospital or health centers in Gorgan city for prenatal care in 2016 and 2017. The data collection tool was a checklist containing the demographic characteristics of the pregnant mother, date of the last menstruation, gestational age, number of pregnancy and days of mother fasting.
Results: 86 pregnant women (62 %) were fasting and 53 non-fasting (38%). Frequency of newborn's gender in pregnant women who were fasting was 43 boys and 43 girls and in non-fasting women were 35 and 18, respectively. The frequency of boys in non-fasting mothers was higher than girls but this difference was not significant. In analysis of simultaneous effects of variables on baby's gender, none of the variables were statistically significant with the newborn's gender. Variables such as the number of pregnancies (P=0.051) and maternal fasting (P=0.083) non significantly reduced the ratio of boy born to 30%.
Conclusion: There is no relationship between gender of babies and mother's fasting in the follicular phase of the last menstrual cycle.

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Background and Objective: Candida species are the second most common cause of vaginitis in worldwide after bacterial agents. This study was performed to determine the etiological factors of Candida vulvovaginitis in pregnant women.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study, was performed on 100 pregnant women with vaginal discomfort that referring to gynecologic and obstetric clinics of the Sanandaj Social Security Hospital, Kurdistan province, Iran during 2016. After obtaining informed consent and collecting background information using a questionnaire, the patients were examined by a specialist physician and samples were collected. Identification of isolates was done based on colony color and also using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method.
Results: Candida vulvovaginitis was seen in 29% of women. Candida albicans were the most common cause of the disease (86.2%) followed by Candida paraposilosis (10.43%) and Candida glabrat (45.3%) . There was no significant relationship between diabetes and candida vulvovaginitis. There was a significant relationship between the history of antibiotic usage, age over 35 and third trimester of pregnancy with Candida vulvaginitis (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The prevalence of Candida vulvovaginal candidiasis was 29% and Candida Albicans was the most common cause of the disease.

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Background and Objective: Fear of childbirth is a common problem during pregnancy. Previous studies have shown that pregnancy outcomes and experiences can significantly vary across various ethnic groups. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of fear of childbirth among pregnant mothers of various ethnicities referring to comprehensive health service centers in Gorgan, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 341 pregnant women of Fars, Turkmen, and Sistani/Baluch ethnicities using a random sampling method at comprehensive health service centers in Gorgan during 2023. Data collection instruments consisted of a demographic and pregnancy characteristics form and the Childbirth Fear Questionnaire (CFQ; Zar and Wijma).
Results: The mean fear of childbirth score in pregnant women was determined to be 69.88±20.19 (severe fear). Among all studied groups, mild fear (21 individuals), moderate fear (100 individuals), severe fear (147 individuals), and clinical fear (73 individuals) were identified in 6.2%, 29.3%, 43.1%, and 21.4% of the pregnant women, respectively. The combined prevalence of severe and clinical fear of childbirth among pregnant women of Sistani/Baluch, Turkmen, and Fars ethnicities was determined to be 73%, 73.3%, and 52.2%, respectively, and this difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). A statistically significant relationship was observed among the variables of age, gestational period, and the level of satisfaction with prenatal care received at comprehensive health service centers (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Severe and clinical fear of childbirth is more prevalent among pregnant women of Sistani/Baluch and Turkmen ethnicities compared to the Fars ethnicity.

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Excessive weight gain during pregnancy is recognized as a global epidemic and is associated with complications, such as gestational diabetes. While a healthy diet and regular physical activity positively influence weight control and overall well-being, in-person consultations can be costly and time-consuming. The use of digital technologies, particularly smartphones, has increased for delivering lifestyle interventions and improving well-being. These technologies provide affordable access to health services for pregnant women, especially those in remote areas. This narrative review was conducted to evaluate the effect of telehealth on weight control and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle among pregnant women. A search was performed in the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases. Of the 631 initial articles published during 2020-2024,
15 were selected and evaluated after excluding irrelevant articles, review articles, and those without full texts. The selected articles showed that mobile health (mHealth) could improve indicators, such as weight, body mass index (BMI), maternal and infant health, and lifestyle. However, certain limitations, including access issues, cultural barriers, and fluctuations in service quality, impacted their effectiveness. Based on the findings of these articles, it is suggested that personalized interventions be designed with continuous consultations and daily reminders. Forming virtual groups and providing timely feedback can strengthen the sense of belonging and promote adherence. These strategies are valuable for telehealth clinics and online counseling programs.