Obesity And Pregnancy The Dos & Don'ts!

Obesity is a serious medical condition that affects both adults and children worldwide. According to WHO’s 2008 estimates, more than 1.4 billion adults, aged 20 and older, were overweight. Of those, over 200 million were men and nearly 300 million women. Now, obesity during pregnancy opens up women to multiple risks, and can adversely affect the health of their baby, as well. Read on to know more, writes Dr Tanvi Tuteja-Mansukhani, consultant obgyn, Somaiya Superspeciality Hospital and assistant professor, K. J. Somaiya Medical College & Hospital

Maternal obesity has become one of the most commonly occurring risk factors in obstetric practice. Obesity in pregnancy is usually defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m 2 or more at the first antenatal consultation. In total, 50 per cent of women of childbearing age are either overweight (BMI 25 to 29.9 kg/m2) or obese, with 18 per cent starting pregnancy as obese. Currently, 20 to 40 per cent of women gain more than the recommended weight during pregnancy, resulting in an increased risk of maternal and fetal complications. 18 per cent of obstetric causes of maternal deaths and 80 per cent of anesthesia complications are due to obesity, making this a cause for concern.

EFFECTS ON EXPECTANT MUMS

HOW OBESITY AFFECTS INDIVIDUAL HEALTH

Women can experience high blood pressure and preeclampsia caused by being overweight.

Obesity can result in gestational diabetes (raised blood sugars), and is said to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and mellitus later on in life.

Expectant mums also face problems like prolonged labour, C-section and problems with administering epidurals during a C-section.

The after effects of pregnancy problems are, post partum hemorrhage (losing too much blood), or blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) and wound problems.

EFFECTS ON THE BABY

Obesity during one’s pregnancy can cause birth defects such as heart defects and neural tube defects such as spina bifida.