JOIN US Researchers at Newcastle University who examined over 40,000 pregnancies at maternity units in the UK found that the risk of baby death was double among obese women.
They found that those with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 were 1.6 per cent more like to lose their baby compared to 0.9 per cent in women who have normal weight, or a BMI between 18.5 and 24.5, the Daily Mail reported.
This means infant mortality rates for babies born to obese women were on average 16 in 1,000 babies, while it’s nine per 1,000 for mothers of a healthy weight, said the researchers.
The findings suggested that it was important for women to achieve a healthy weight before getting pregnant to give their babies the best chance. However, the researchers warned against dieting during pregnancy. Dr Ruth Bell, who led the three year study, said: “The results we found were not totally unexpected as there have been similar studies done in the past that have arrived at the same conclusion.
“When a woman is pregnant it is not the right time for her to go on a diet as it is most important that she eats healthily, ensuring her baby gets all the essential nutrients it needs.
“What is important, however, is that women are helped and supported to achieve a healthy weight before they become pregnant or after the baby is born, as this will give the baby the best start to life.”
For the study, the researchers collected information during mothers’ antenatal visits between 2003 and 2005 and the optimum weight for a mom-to-be was reported at being a BMI of 23.