In reading through the paper last week I was surprised by a headline. Apparently, the latest scientific studies show a disturbing relationship between obesity and health risk for mothers and their babies. These types of cases were rare twenty years ago, but as we have gotten heavier as a nation, physicians and hospitals are finding it necessary to prepare for emergency situations like heart conditions, C-sections, premature births and more. Since 30% of women are overweight and another 30% are obese, it’s important to understand the risks involved with being overweight during pregnancy.
The top 6 complications from being overweight during pregnancy:
- The prevalence of varicose and spider veins. Because the body strains to carry blood to all its vital organs, the veins become enlarged and painful, sometimes necessitating full or partial bed rest. Sometimes these veins require surgery or laser treatment after the baby is born. To complicate matters, excess fluid leads to swelling, discomfort and lack of mobility, as well. One woman I know was confined to bed rest for the last 3 months of her pregnancy because of varicose veins.
- Liver and kidney problems. Weakness in critical organs such as the kidneys or the liver can negatively impact the health of the fetus, since all fluids between mother and baby are shared directly.
- Gestational diabetes. Diabetes is never exciting, but when you become pregnant, it’s a bigger problem. The dilemma is that when you’re pregnant, you may need to be induced prior to your due date. This is simply because these babies are often a bigger than the normal weight range, which stems from overinsulin production in the mom. One mom I know was informed that her child would be the size of a normal 3 month old if she waited until her due date.
- Obesity increases the odds that a C-section will be encouraged over a vaginal delivery. The more overweight you are, the higher these chances – ranging from 2-6 times higher than a pregnant woman who is not overweight. Even though C-sections are typically safe, many babies in this scenario fall into weight extremes, in that they are either notably underweight or overweight. This condition results in a higher risk for them.
- High blood pressure is another concern. When you have a pregnancy that is compounded with obesity, the body has to perform double or triple the amount of work. High blood pressure strains the heart and circulatory sytem and carries a series of risks.
- A shocking truth is that infant mortality rates are 2-3 times higher than for the rate of a normal, pregnancy. Today health care professionals are searching for solutions to our modern obesity problems. This is a shame, given that medicine has overcome so many issues of past generations like disease and infection, that prompted high rates of infant mortality in the past. In any case, the system of overweight moms is strained much more than it normally would be, which in turn places this strain on the baby’s system.
So what are some of your options to ensure a safer pregnancy?
The single most important action you can take is to begin your pregnancy as close to your ideal weight as possible. If you’re already pregnant you can still make a positive impact, by talking to your doctor and devising a safe and healthy eating plan.
If you’re on the market for a diet plan, the options are countless. Simply put, the most cost-effective plans include books, eBooks and online diet communities. On the other end of the range, there are many excellent choices such as Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, and Lindora if you prefer the support of a diet professional.
As always, a moderate exercise program will help, as well. Whether you choose to adhere to a program or to lose weight on your own, we always recommend that you talk it over with your doctor, to ensure that your strategy will provide both you and your baby with the important nutrition you need, and a safe and comfortable exercise plan, if you like. Losing excess weight prior to your pregnancy is the best investment you can make for you and your child, and will make the post-delivery process much easier, too.
When you’re ready to start a weight loss plan after your pregnancy, take a look at our Diet Reviews page, which will help you select from the top online plans available.
Our current favorite diet is The Diet Solution Program by Isabel De Los Rios.
