Being overweight or obese can cause a number of different health problems. From heart attack to diabetes, these side effects are generally well known. However, one of the lesser known side effects of being overweight or obese is the risk that it poses to a woman’s pregnancy.

Being obese may create a higher risk of miscarriage. Still, obesity is not a leading factor in miscarriage. Things like chronic diseases, temporary illnesses such as rubella, chromosomal abnormalities, and lifestyle choices are among the factors that create the highest risks of miscarriage. Being overweight or obese can add to these risks, and a woman who is both obese and has one of these other factors is definitely at a higher risk of miscarriage than other women.

Gestational diabetes is another common side effect of being overweight or obese during pregnancy. In fact, some studies suggest that being overweight makes a woman as much as two times as likely to have gestational diabetes. Pre-eclampsia, or having high blood pressure due to pregnancy, is another possible dangerous side effect of being overweight during pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia can be dangerous and even fatal to women who are pregnant. Pre-eclampsia can also lead to fetal death and miscarriage.

The more overweight that a pregnant woman is, the higher her risks of needing a cesarean section are as well. In addition, obese women are much more likely to suffer from infections or the excessive loss of blood during a c-section.

Excessive weight can also create difficulties for your health care provider. It can be difficult to estimate the baby’s weight, track the baby’s heart rate, and to administer anesthesia such as an epidural during labor.

Pregnancy is not the time to diet, however. A woman who is overweight before pregnancy should still expect to gain between 15 and 25 pounds, as opposed to other women who should expect to gain between 25 and 35 pounds. Overweight women who become pregnant might consider a variety of things, such as nutritional counseling, mild exercise, and early screenings for gestational diabetes to help insure the success of their pregnancy.

Posted in Miscarriage

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