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A 29-year study collecting data from 24,000 new mothers in the UK has shown that the risk of problems such as high blood pressure and premature delivery increased in tandem with a woman’s pre-pregnancy weight.

The research published in the online journal BMC Public Health adds to existing evidence that obesity is a risk for mothers and newborns.

Researchers found that obese women were 50 per cent more likely to have post-delivery bleeding and twice as likely to deliver prematurely, compared to women of an average weight. They were also more likely to require an emergency C-section or to have labor induced.

The team of researchers led by Dr Sohinee Bhattacharya of Aberdeen Maternity hospital commented: “The evidence for obesity as an important complication in pregnancy is mounting.”

In contrast, the study found that women who were underweight before pregnancy tended to have the lowest risk of complications. However, thinner women are more likely to have an underweight newborn.

Nutrition is of the utmost importance during pregnancy as an adequate supply of nutrients is essential to support foetal wellbeing and development. Women need to be more aware of the implications of weight not only on their pregnancy but also on the birth and health of their babies.

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