“Eating for two” is no excuse to become obese during pregnancy, British health experts say.
In new guidelines for doctors and midwives, the U.K. National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) says women need reliable information on how to manage their weight because obese women and their babies face serious health risks.
The guidelines suggest women stay away from fried foods and sweets and monitor portion sizes, despite cravings.
The recommendations also suggest women need to exercise, making “walking, cycling, swimming, aerobics and gardening a part of everyday life.”
The guidelines say, “Health professionals should encourage women to check their weight and waist measurement periodically or, as a simple alternative, check the fit of their clothes.”
“This new guidance is about helping health professionals to help women have a healthy pregnancy — it’s not about preaching to women. About half of women of childbearing age are either overweight or obese and although obese women can have healthy babies, the evidence does suggest that there are more risks associated with pregnancies in women who have a BMI of over 30 when they become pregnant,” NICE director Mike Kelly said in a release.
“At the moment, health professionals do not generally give women information about the risks of obesity during pregnancy and the importance of weight management before or after pregnancy.”
The guidelines also suggest women who are overweight or obese before they become pregnant be encouraged to lose weight before conceiving.
Kelly added there are also guidelines for women after they give birth.
“It’s also important that women do not feel pressured into rapid weight loss or crash diets after pregnancy; they should understand that weight loss after birth takes time and that physical activity and gradual weight loss will not affect their ability to breastfeed. Losing weight gradually can actually help women maintain a healthy weight in the long-term,” he said.
Louise Silverton of the Royal College of Midwives agrees that something needs to be done.
“As a result of the increase in obesity among pregnant women, midwives are, (on top of the continuing baby boom) dealing with more complex births. These women need to see a midwife as early as possible in their pregnancy. They need more time to spend with a midwife to help and advise them as well as involving the wider health care team,” Silverton said.
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