IMPACT OF OBESITY DURING PREGNANCY

Every expectant mother receives the common recommendation to "eat for two." While this advice aims to motivate expectant mothers to reach their ideal weight and guarantee their child's complete well-being and nutrition. However, eating for two frequently causes pregnant women to gain more weight and raises their risk of becoming obese.

Obesity is a complicated illness that causes your body to start storing too much fat. It is calculated using a person's Body Mass Index (BMI). People with a BMI of 25 to 29.8 are typically categorised as overweight, whereas those with a BMI of 30 or higher are categorised as obese.

The three levels of obesity indicate increasing BMI and health risks. A BMI of 30 to 34.9 defines category I obesity, BMI between 35 and 39.9 is classified as category II obesity, and a BMI of 40 or higher is classified as category III obesity.

Pregnant women who are obese face one of the most frequent health problems because it raises the possibility of multiple pregnancy complications. Body Mass Index (BMI) increases are typically associated with the following health problems in women:

GESTATIONAL HYPERTENSION It is characterised as having high blood pressure that appears in the second trimester of pregnancy and causes severe health issues.

PRE-ECLAMPSIA Severe gestational hypertension of this type usually appears in the second half of pregnancy or soon after delivery. Obese women frequently experience liver and kidney failure as a result of this condition, and they also occasionally have seizures, heart attacks, and strokes. The development of the foetus and issues with the placenta are additional risk factors.

MACROSOMIA Due to the larger-than-normal size of the foetus in this condition, birth injuries occur during delivery.

GESTATIONAL DIABETES Large babies are frequently the result of elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy, which also frequently necessitates caesarean deliveries for many mothers. Women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes run the risk of later developing diabetes mellitus, which they can pass on to their offspring.

OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person briefly stops breathing while sleeping or while pregnant. It can make women feel more exhausted and increase their risk of pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, heart problems, and lung problems.

BIRTH DEFECTS Obese pregnant women are more likely to deliver babies with birth defects like heart defects and neural tube defects.

ISSUES WITH DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES Excessive body fat can make it more difficult to detect problems with the foetal anatomy during an ultrasound and can make it more difficult to keep track of the foetus' heart rate during labour.

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