Health Concerns Over Obese Mothers to Be

It has been revealed that many overweight women who are pregnant do not understand the health advice that they are being given, believing it is aimed at those that have had their babies rather than for during pregnancy. Obesity of pregnant women has increased substantially in recent years and this is causing concerns for the health of new born babies.

A woman who is overweight throughout her pregnancy is more likely to have a child by caesarean and also to have a child that suffers from gestational diabetes. Guidelines have now been issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence about obtaining a healthy weight prior to conception.

Professor Mike Kelly of the NICE has stated: "Women should understand that weight loss after birth takes time, and physical activity and gradual weight loss will not affect their ability to breastfeed."

The National Childbirth Trust raised some concerns on the issue stating: "It can set a worrying example, by encouraging new mums to embark on drastic weight lost programmes, which are not only unrealistic, but can also be very unhealthy."