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Obesity Problems Occur When Women Are Pregnant

Obesity Problems Occur When Women Are Pregnant

Obesity Problems Occur When Women Are Pregnant - Overweight women are already more likely to have health complications – but pregnancy increases the risks for both mother and baby. Obesity is a disease, and as with many diseases, there’s a greater chance of problems during pregnancy. Doctors aren’t as concerned about what your scale says as they are about your body mass index (BMI), an estimate of body fat based on weight and height.

But a high BMI doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to have medical issues: Many plus-size mums have problem-free pregnancies. Weight is a number just like maternal age. Being older than 35 places some women at higher risk for problems, but most do just fine. The same holds true for overweight women. Knowing what to watch out for if you’re plus-size and pregnant is the first step to having a healthy nine months.

The “Big Girl” Bias
Finding a doctor who is “size friendly” can be a challenge. Although your doctor will probably want to discuss medical issues regarding your weight, if he (or the clinic nurse) makes you feel guilty about your size or discourages you from trying to conceive, it’s time to find a more sensitive, educated doctor.

Obesity-Problems-Occur-When-Women-Are-Pregnant-1Control Your Diet During Pregnancy

Obesity Problems Occur When Women Are Pregnant

Surplus Sugar
Gestational diabetes, a temporary form of high blood sugar during pregnancy, affects up to 15 percent of obese women – triple the rate of average-size women. Uncontrolled, it increases the risk of fetal birth defects and congenital heart problems. Babies born to mums with gestational diabetes tend to be large, which can pose problems in the delivery room. “Big babies can mean bigger episiotomies, vaginal lacerations, and an increased chance of a Caesarean section.

Typically, expectant mums are tested for diabetes toward the end of their second trimester, but because extra weight also increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, you should be tested within the first six weeks after delivery and yearly after that. If you’re diagnosed with diabetes (gestational or type 2), you may need to take insulin medication and will definitely need to make healthy food choices to keep the condition in check.

Obesity-Problems-Occur-When-Women-Are-PregnantControl Your Diet During Pregnancy

Obesity Problems Occur When Women Are Pregnant

Bad Blood Pressure
Eight percent of all pregnant women develop pre- eclampsia, a form of high blood pressure that usually occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy (though most cases are mild and occur at the end of pregnancy). Your odds quadruple if you’re obese. (Obesity Problems Occur When Women Are Pregnant) The disease increases urine protein levels and causes fluid retention in the hands and feet. Bed rest and medications usually help, but if the condition isn’t treated properly, it can be life- threatening for both mum and baby

Delivery Room Problems
Being in labour can be as physically demanding as running a marathon. That’s why women who are overweight and less physically fit tend to experience longer, harder labours and have higher rates of C-sections. Post delivery recovery also can be more taxing.

Overweight women are at greater risk of in
fection following a Caesarean because their stomachs hang over the incision site, keeping it moist and prone to bacteria, and fat itself is more prone to infection.(Obesity Problems Occur When Women Are Pregnant) For this reason, some doctors perform vertical incisions on obese women instead of the lower horizontal or bikini cut.

Obesity Problems Occur When Women Are Pregnant

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