Information Forces

Abstract

Most women who are overweight have a straightforward pregnancy and birth and deliver healthy babies. However being overweight does increase the risk of complications to both you and your baby. This information is about the extra care you will be offered during your pregnancy and how you can minimise the risks to you and your baby in this pregnancy and in a future pregnancy. Your healthcare professionals will not judge you for being overweight and will give you all the support that you need. What is BMI? BMI is your body mass index which is a measure of your weight in relation to your height. A healthy BMI is above 18.5 and less than 25. A person is considered to be overweight if their BMI is between 25 and 29.9 or obese if they have a BMI of 30 or above. Almost one in five (20%) pregnant women have a BMI of 30 or above at the beginning of their pregnancy. When should my BMI be calculated? You should have your BMI calculated at your first antenatal booking appointment. If you have a BMI of 30 or above, your midwife should give you information about the additional risks as well as how these can be minimised and about any additional care you may need. If you have any questions or concerns about your BMI or your care, now is a good time to discuss these. You may be weighed again later in your pregnancy. What are the risks of a raised BMI during pregnancy? Being overweight (with a BMI above 25) increases the risk of complications for pregnant women and their babies. With increasing BMI, the additional risks become gradually more likely, the risks being much higher for women with a BMI of 40 or above. The higher your BMI, the higher the risks.