Major shifts in a woman's weight between pregnancies can lead to serious health
implications for an unborn child, according to two studies from the British
Medical Journal. While weight and obesity concern women in regard to lifestyle
and body image, many are unaware that weight fluctuations between pregnancies
can cause complications for both the child and the expectant mother.
The first study examined over 200,000 women from the beginning of their first
pregnancy to the start of their second. If a woman's body mass index (BMI)
increased by one to two units, researchers discovered increased rates of pre-eclampsia,
diabetes in the mother, high blood pressure and high birth weight. An increased
BMI of three units greatly increased the rate of stillbirths. Authors of the
study stress that women of normal weight should avoid gaining weight and
overweight women would benefit from weight loss before becoming pregnant again.
The second study observed whether a change in a mother's nutritional balance
increases the risk of premature birth. For women whose BMI fell by five or more
units between pregnancies, researchers found a greater risk of premature birth
than for women whose weight increased or remained stable.
Both studies illustrate the importance of healthy weight before, during, and
after pregnancy. These results demonstrate that women should follow a healthy
diet and lifestyle to achieve the best start in life for their children.
