Excess weight is a major cause for high-risk pregnancies and pregnancy related problems. According to the Bureau of Family and Community Health, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, “In Massachusetts, 43% of the women in the WIC program are either overweight or obese prior to their pregnancy and 51% of the WIC participants gain too much weight during their pregnancy.” Obesity is one of the common causes for complications in pregnancy. Dr. Laura Riley, in her article “A Call to Action: Obesity and Pregnancy”, writes that pregnant women are at greater risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, increased caesarean deliveries, longer hospital stays, premature deliveries, urinary infections, and failure to start or continue breastfeeding.
Before a woman even gets pregnant, the extra weight may cause infertility. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a condition where cysts (fluid-filled sacs) form on the ovaries and disrupts the regular menstrual cycle, is commonly associated with overweight and obese women. As well, fat tissue can produce an excess of estrogen. As a result, overweight and obese women may experience hormonal imbalance that can prevent ovulation.
Individuals who are overweight or obese may endure difficulties trying to conceive. Women who weigh more than the recommended weight for their height and age pose a risk to their developing fetus. This is because overweight pregnant women often have larger fetuses and more likely need a C-section to prevent a difficult delivery that may both injure the mother and baby.
But this doesn’t mean that women who are planning to conceive must reduce weight drastically. This extreme step may again lead to delay in conception and other complications. Doctor’s advice to women with weight related problems, is to plan their conception only after reducing their weight in a planned manner. This ensures a safe delivery of the infant and less complications for the mother.
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