Obesity is a plague on modern society and the health risks associated with excess weight are well documented and well known. The risks to the individual increase as weight increases as occurs during pregnancy. Whilst most pregnant women take on their baby weight around the tummy staying very normal elsewhere on their bodies a small number of women balloon into dangerous territory. Despite being a minority of people, obesity rates amongst pregnant women are on the rise and around 5% of pregnant women are severely obese meaning their BMI or Body Mass Index exceeds 35.
BMI is a measure of weight to height used as a quick reference to check whether someone is within an ideal weight range for their height. Anyone with a BMI of 25 or more is considered to be heavier than is recommended, and anyone with a BMI of 30 ore more is classed as obese and at risk of developing serious illnesses as a consequence.
Overweight expectant mothers put themselves at risk of blood clots, high blood pressure, internal bleeding and other complications, and put their unborn babies at risk of death. The incidence of stillbirth is twice as likely in obese expectant mothers compared to mothers of a normal weight. Babies born to obese mothers are also more likely to become obese themselves.
Proper weight management should start before pregnant women conceive and those who are overweight and wanting to try for a baby should make sure their BMI does not exceed 25. Plan minceur avec un regime hypocalorique sans graisse and regular strenuous exercise which cause you to break a sweat. In those extreme cases where the patient struggles to lose excess weight after 12months of dieting and exercising alone despite putting in a good effort, the patient and their doctor medications such as Orlistat or gastric surgery may be recommended.
