Table 1 Background characteristics of the participants
| Â | Participants |
|---|---|
Continuous variables, medians (interquartile range) 1 | |
Age, years | 32 (27-36) |
Weeks' gestation | 13 (12-20) |
Body mass index, kg/m2 | 29.3 (27.5-33.8) |
Categorized variables, numbers (%) | |
Weeks' gestation category | Â |
   11-14 | 32 (55.2) |
   ≥20 | 26 (44.8) |
BMI category | Â |
   25.0-29.9 kg/m2 | 35 (60.3) |
   ≥30.0 kg/m2 | 22 (39.7) |
Parity | Â |
   0 | 27 (46.6) |
   1 | 21 (36.2) |
   ≥2 | 10 (17.2) |
Education (highest qualification)2 | Â |
   GCSE or equivalent (at age ≥16 years) | 9 (17.0) |
   A level or equivalent (at age ≥18 years) | 13 (24.5) |
   Degree or higher postgraduate qualification | 31 (58.5) |
Ethnicity | Â |
   White | 48 (88.9) |
   Other | 6 (11.1) |
Smoked during the last year | Â |
   Yes | 7 (12.7) |
   No | 48 (87.3) |
Employed at the beginning of pregnancy | Â |
   Yes | 48 (84.2) |
   No | 9 (15.8) |
Hours of employment3 | Â |
   Full time (≥37 h/week) | 30 (63.8) |
   Part time (<37 h/week) | 17 (36.2) |
Living with a partner/husband | Â |
   Yes | 55 (96.5) |
   No | 2 (3.5) |