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difficult for the body to use insulin properly. The body demands more insulin to help compensate for the hormones problems. The pancreas, which produces insulin has to work harder. If it can not keep up with the insulin demand, the glucose remains in the blood, increasing the blood sugar levels.

Obese pregnant women have a higher chance of developing gestational diabetes. Their weight before pregnant may have already increased their risk for type 2 diabetes. The pregnancy further increases this risk. After delivery, gestational diabetes usually disappears. However, for obese mothers, they may develop type 2 or require more insulin than before the pregnancy.

Delivery and Postpartum Medical Conditions

Delivery can be very difficult for a pregnant women who is obese. Often natural childbirth is not an option. Due to their weight, labor is often very slow which prolongs the delivery process. A cesarean section is the only way to delivery the baby. During delivery, there is the risk of maternal death (dying during or shortly after a pregnancy) and injury to the baby.

Another risk associated with the c-section is a hemorrhage or blood loss. A hemorrhage can happen if the vessels in the uterine are cut. Also, bleeding can occur if cuts extend into the vagina. A blood transfusion is usually required due to the volume of blood loss. Death can occur if the bleeding cannot be stopped.

Postpartum recovery is may be extremely difficult and long. The stress put on their body from the delivery and the C-section increases the risk for developing postpartum infections and other medical conditions. An infections can develop in the uterine, bladder, or kidney which could lead to other serious conditions. Also, there can be an extreme amount of pain and excessive bleeding.

Pregnancy can be a wonderful experience for a women even though something could go wrong. For women, who are extremely overweight or obese, pregnancy can be dangerous. The risks are so much higher for complications, infections and even death to occur. So if you are struggling with obesity and thinking about having a baby, don't do it yet. Instead, talk to your doctor about how to safely lose the weight. This will give you a better chance of having a healthy baby with minimum complications.

Learn more about this author, Rene Michael Browne.
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