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Myths and truth about obesity during pregnancy
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Ironically, despite the excessive consumption of calories, many obese women experience a deficiency of vitamins, which are vital for a healthy pregnancy.
In the December issue of the journal Seminars in Perinatology, expert Loreley L. Thornburg examines many of the problems that obese women may face during pregnancy. The following myths and facts highlight some of the problems that women should take into account before, during and after pregnancy.
Myth or the truth?
Many women, obese, are deficient in vitamins.
True
40% of women suffer from iron deficiency, 24% - folic acid and 4% - vitamin B12. This is of concern, since some vitamins, such as folic acid, are very important even before conception, reducing the risk of heart disease and malformation of the spinal cord in newborns. Other microelements, such as calcium and iron, contribute to the physical development of the child.
Thornburg says that vitamin deficiency is related to the quality of the diet, and not the amount of food consumed. Obese women tend to avoid consuming fortified cereals, fruits and vegetables and eat more processed foods high in calories and low nutritional value.
"Just like everyone else, women who plan pregnancy or who are currently pregnant should receive a balanced combination of fruits and vegetables, low-fat protein and good quality carbohydrates.Women should also be sure that they take vitamins containing folic acid before and during pregnancy.
Patients suffering from obesity should gain at least 7 kg during pregnancy.
Myth
In 2009, the Institute of Medicine revised its recommendations for gestational weight for obese women from 7 kg to 5 kg. According to previous studies, women with obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy have a very high risk of complications, including premature birth, cesarean delivery, weakness in labor, the birth of large infants and children with low blood sugar for gestational age.
If a woman who is obese does not gain much weight during pregnancy, her outcome will be more favorable, compared to those who gained extra pounds. Talking to a doctor about the permissible weight gain during pregnancy is the key to the management of pregnancy.
The risk of premature birth is higher in obese women, compared with women who are not obese.
True
Obese women who are obese during pregnancy are 20% more likely to have premature births, diabetes mellitus or hypertension. Thornburg says that this is probably due to hormonal changes in women with obesity.
Respiratory diseases in obesity, including asthma and obstructive sleep apnea, increase the risk of extrapulmonary complications of pregnancy, such as caesarean section and preeclampsia.
True
Women with obesity up to 30% are more likely to experience asthma exacerbations during pregnancy, compared to women who are not obese.
Breastfeeding in women with obesity is longer than in women with normal weight.
Myth
The duration of breastfeeding in obese women in 80% of cases does not exceed half a year.
Thornburg confirms that the breast size has nothing to do with the amount of milk produced. Premature delivery can delay the initiation of breastfeeding due to the arrival of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.
"Because of these problems, mothers should be educated, motivated and work with their doctors, even if you can partially breastfeed, it's better than not having a full breast-feeding," Thornburg said.
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