Ready to start or add to your family? Get your weight in check first.
If you and your partner are contemplating having a baby, it is important for the mother to have her weight in check beforehand. This can do two important things – help you conceive and lessen the risk of obesity-related pregnancy complications while you are carrying the baby.
Studies show that excessive body weight can disrupt obese women’s hormone balance creating irregular periods and irregular ovulation. The latest news about the negative effects of our nation’s obesity epidemic ─ including fertility, pregnancy and maternal mortality ─ prompted the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) to urge doctors to talk with patients about the benefits of dropping excess weight before trying to conceive. Interestingly, the study also showed that many OB/GYNs are reluctant to talk to their obese patients about these potential obstacles.
Risk factors for obese mothers
Here are some important facts you should know about obesity and pregnancy:
- Obesity raises a woman’s risk of gestational diabetes, hypertension, premature delivery, miscarriage, and stillbirth.
- A mother’s chance of having to undergo a caesarian section is 34 percent if her BMI is over 30, and 47% if her BMI is over 35—compared to 21% for women with a BMI under 30, according to one study.
- There is evidence that babies born to obese women have a greater chance of suffering neural defects than those whose mothers are normal weight, and will be at greater risk of being obese themselves.
If you are considering having a baby and are significantly overweight, a bariatric weight loss solution could be a viable option for you, particularly if you are over age 35 and seeking to conceive as soon as possible.
Find out if bariatric surgery might be right for you
Where do you start? Reserve your spot at my upcoming Bariatric Information Session offered at a hospital near you. Bring along your partner and supportive friends and family. My nutritionist and I welcome an opportunity to meet and get to know you and your loved ones. Have questions? I’ll be happy to answer them at the conclusion of my presentation.
About Dr. Seun Sowemimo, MD, FACS
“Dr. Seun” is a top NJ bariatric surgeon and the medical director at Prime Surgicare, with offices in Freehold serving Monmouth and Ocean counties of New Jersey. He is a board-certified, Columbia and Yale University fellowship-trained advanced laparoscopic surgeon specializing in gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, lapband and general surgery including gallbladder, hernias and colon surgery. To learn more, visit his YouTube channel or call Prime Surgicare at (732)-982-2002