In this section you will learn about healthy weight.
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Encouraging women to optimise their weight (18.5 – 30 kg/m2) prior to conception will improve their fertility and also reduce complications of the pregnancy and birth. This may take time and should be encouraged by all in a sensitive way when women attend for appointments or other support.
A high BMI (> 30) increases the risk of :
- Infertility
- Pregnancy and birth complications including:
- Gestational diabetes
- Miscarriage
- Pre-eclampsia
- Thromboembolism
- Maternal death
- Shoulder dystocia
- Having a caesarian section
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- Babies born to obese women increase risk of:
- Foetal death
- Stillbirth
- Congenital abnormality including neural tube defects, cardiovascular anomalies, cleft palate
- Macrosomia
- Subsequent obesity
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A low BMI (< 18.5) increases risks including:
- First trimester miscarriage
- Preterm birth
- Low birth weight
- Developmental problems
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Stop and Reflect:
- What opportunities do you have in your work to support women with advice about weight management?
- What are the issues you have encountered and what changes did you make?
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