Concerns over obesity in pregnancy
[Posted: Wed 07/06/2006]
Pregnant women who are obese may be putting their health and the health of their unborn infant at risk, the results of a new study indicate.
A team of researchers at the University of Teesside decided to review some of the clinical issues related to caring for pregnant mothers who are obese. The research team began their research after hearing anecdotal evidence from midwives and other maternity unit staff, which indicated that an increasing number of women are obese at the start of their pregnancy.
One of these issues related to ultrasounds.
"One of the problems is that sometimes you can't see the ultrasound scan of the baby properly in obese pregnant women and this can lead to clinical problems as well as being upsetting for the parents who are not able to see a picture of their baby", said lead researcher, Nicola Heslehurst.
The research found that there were other implications for maternity services, including:
-The need for stronger equipment, such as delivery beds, to support heavier women.
-An increase in Caesarean sections.
-Lifting and handling issues for staff in maternity services.
-Ruling out the use of birthing pools or alternative delivery methods.
"We are not trying to blame or stigmatise obese pregnant mothers and we would certainly not recommend that overweight mums-to-be go on crash diets. But our initial findings show reasons for concern with obese pregnant mothers and there is a lack of weight management guidance and support readily available for them", said Professor Carolyn Summerbell, who heads up the university's centre for food, physical activity and obesity research.
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