Almost half of mums-to-be gain too much weight after eating for two
‘Highlights the complications’
WOMEN should not ‘eat for two’ during pregnancy, experts have warned after a major study revealed nearly half of pregnant women put on too much weight.
An analysis of more than 1.3million pregnancies found that 47 per cent of women gained excessive weight over the nine months of their pregnancy, risking the health of their child.
British experts said the research was highly relevant for the UK, where almost half of women are either obese or overweight at the start of their pregnancy.
They warned that too many women believe the myth that they need to ‘eat for two’ – piling on the pounds and raising the chance of complications during childbirth.
The latest research – from a team at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia – found that only a quarter of women around the world hit targets for weight gain in pregnancy.
The Institute of Medicine in the US recommends mothers-to-be of a healthy weight put on no more than 2st 7lb and no less than 1st 11lb. Women who are overweight to begin with – whose body mass index (BMI) is between 25 and 30 – should put on no more than 1st 10lb, and no less than 1st 1lb.
And those who are obese – with a BMI of more than 30 – should gain no more than 1st 6lb, and no less than 11lb.
The US team found that while nearly half of mothers put on too much weight, a quarter put on too little.
The research, published yesterday in the JAMA medical journal, found that women who gained too much weight were 85 per cent more likely to have an overly large baby, and 30 per cent more likely to require a caesarean section to deliver their infant.
Among the 23 per cent of women who put on too little weight, the risk of premature birth rose by 70 per cent.
Experts pointed out that women in the UK are usually only weighed at the begin- ning of their pregnancy – which means they have no idea whether they are putting on too much weight.
Louise Silverton, director for midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives, added: ‘This is very useful research that underlines even more the importance for women – and their babies – of being a healthy weight before and during pregnancy.
‘This relates to US recommended levels of weight gain. There are none in the UK and it would help if we had them to assist women.
‘ This study shows how important it is for women to avoid gaining excessive weight during pregnancy and, if overweight at the end of pregnancy, to try to lose that weight before they have another baby.’
She added that UK guidance was that women should be weighed at the start of pregnancy and only reweighed if there are concerns. ‘This is not helpful as without continuity of care how can the midwife know if it appears that the woman has gained excess or too little weight?’ said Miss Silverton.
Dr Daghni Rajasingam, spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: ‘The results of this large- scale study highlight the potential complications for mother and baby if a woman gains more or less weight in pregnancy than is recommended by the US Institute of Medicine, including having large or small babies, pre-term birth and caesarean delivery.
‘These findings have relevance in the UK as one in five pregnant women are obese and illustrate the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle through a well-balanced diet and exercise before, during and after their pregnancy to reduce associated complications.
‘It is a myth that women need to “eat for two” during their pregnancy – energy needs do not change until the last three months of pregnancy, when women need an extra 200 calories a day.
‘ Having a normal bodyweight will help to increase the chances of conceiving naturally and reduces the risk of pregnancy and birth complications for the mother and baby.’