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Obesity and additional pregnancy risks

There is always some risk associated with pregnancy. Every pregnancy is different. Even with the best medical care, there are no guarantees. For women, struggling with obesity, having a baby can be extremely dangerous. These "high risk pregnancies", have additional risks to the mother and the child. In most cases, mother and child experience complications during the pregnant. For the baby there can be serious illnesses which could impact their development and growth for the rest of their life.

Gaining More Weight

Due to variety studies, most physician have come to realize obese pregnant women should not be allowed to gain much weight. In fact, some doctors are putting these women on anti-weight diets to encourage weight loss. In some cases, when these women become pregnant, they are already dealing with medical conditions. Being obese puts a stress on the heart and other body organ. As a result, many of these women have high blood pressure, diabetes, and a high cholesterol level. They are at a higher risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Due to a unhealthy diet, many obese pregnant women have nutritional deficiencies also. They are lacking many of the important vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy body. A lack of vitamin C can cause "scurvy" which can cause stiff joints, slow healing of wounds, bleeding under the skin and in deep tissues. Eating a healthy diet during pregnant can help these mothers-to-be to loss weight and improve their overall health.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia can occur during pregnant, even for women of normal weight. It can occur at any time during the pregnancy. The main symptoms are high blood press, swelling of the hands and feet and water retention. Additional symptoms may be sudden weight gain, headaches, or a change in vision. Blood flow can be restricted to the placental which can endanger the life of the baby. This disorder can progress very quickly and can become life threatening causing death. It is extremely important to begin treated as soon as possible. With proper pre-natal care this condition can be managed.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a common form of diabetes experienced only by pregnant women. During pregnancy, blood sugar levels can become too high. This occurs when the body cannot break down sugar also called glucose. Under normal circumstances, glucose, with the help of insulin, moves into the cells to provide fuel for the body. During pregnancy, hormones make it


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

Obesity and additional pregnancy risks

  • 1 of 4

    by Rene Michael Browne

    There is always some risk associated with pregnancy. Every pregnancy is different. Even with the best medical care, there

    read more

  • 2 of 4

    by Surma Chowdhury

    I was ten stones before I became pregnant with my first child and after giving birth to him my weight was 12 stones. My mother

    read more

  • 3 of 4

    by Penny Albitus

    The risks associated with being pregnant and obese can be embarrassing as well as dangerous. As my doctor stated, the more

    read more

  • 4 of 4

    by Amy Long

    As an obese woman who is pregnant, I can say there are few differences between this pregnancy and my proper weight pregnancies.

    read more

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