Obesity In Pregnancy

Obesity is a most common and major nutritional disorder and serious factor of complicated pregnancy. BMI scale of above 25 units indicates obesity in pregnant women. Unless the complications are realized, it is difficult to correct them. Obesity affects fat tissues surrounding uterus and ovaries. This makes child birth complicated and difficult. Hormonal imbalance created by fat is the reason for difficulty in cycle and miscarriage. There are a variety of factors which cause obesity or weight gain in pregnant women. Weight at the initial stages of pregnancy may be due to less physical activity and exercise and also due to the consumption of excess calories. History of ‘obesity during pregnancy’ in their family of pregnant woman is also a major cause of obesity during pregnancy.

Complications due to obesity

Obesity during pregnancy made lead to several complications. Some of them are increased risk of misconception, birth of a baby with disability, and also it plays a major role in caesarian delivery. Even the Mother-to-be can develop diabetes.  Frequent urinary infections, Arterial hypertension and altered cardiac function are some of the complications that may arise due to obesity during pregnancy. Long term complications include increase in weight after pregnancy and also development of obesity in the newborn which may lead to child obesity.

Hypertension caused by obesity is accountable for increased morbidity during the period of pregnancy. Diabetes during pregnancy, leads to childhood obesity and also the problem of overweight in the children of women who are obese during their pregnancy. Therefore it is necessary to follow a well-balanced diet during pregnancy. Non-observance will definitely lead to severe health complications to both mother and the child.

How to cope up with obesity?

According to a study, there is an association between obesity in women and pregnancy complications. The result suggests that women having a BMI greater than 30 may have twofold the risk of having a disabled child when compared to normal women.

Also, the statistics shows that obesity and flabby women are at a risk of developing gestational diabetes and hypertension. At the same time, they may have to undergo a cesarean surgery. Also, the babies of overweight mothers may have to start their life in intensive care units of neonatal department. But, a pregnant woman is advised to take adequate nutrition during the pregnancy cycle and hence if the woman has to lose weight; it is possible only before conception. A pregnant woman should have appropriate education about the exercise regime and proper calorific intake. Also, the nursing mothers are advised to give special attention to breastfeeding and childhood nutrition which in turn protects the child from childhood obesity.

Some women think that fats accumulated during pregnancy will not disappear and the efforts made to lose them are worthless of trying. But, they fail to realize that it takes less than a year to reverse to the desired weight. Proper dietary habits and exercise can do wonders to maintain a slim figure after pregnancy. Usually, it is seen that the mother tends to ignore weight gain with increased responsibility. But, she should remember that she should try to have a beautiful healthy body as her ill health in turn may affect the baby.