Does obesity in pregnancy pose a risk to the baby?
Most babies of obese women are healthy. However, obesity during pregnancy can increase the risk of a number of complications in the fetus and newborn. These risks include (3, 4, 5): • Stillbirth • Birth defects [Babies of obese mothers are about twice as likely as women of average weight to have a baby with spina bifida or other neural tube defect (NTD)(6). NTDs are birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. These babies also are at slightly increased risk for other birth defects including heart, abdominal wall and limb defects (6, 7). It is not known why obese women are at increased risk of having a baby with birth defects.] • Premature birth due to medical complications • Birth injury due to babys large size • Newborn death • Childhood obesity back to top What can an obese woman do before pregnancy to improve her chances of having a healthy pregnancy? A woman who is obese should discuss her weight with her health care provider before pregnancy. Her provider can help her determine a
