Risks of Excess Weight Gain in Pregnancy

Excess weight gain during pregnancy should be avoided for the health of the mother and baby both during the pregnancy and afterwards.

Facts

Risks to You of Excess Weight Gain During Pregnancy

• • Pre-eclampsia – a condition causing high blood pressure that puts the mother and baby at risk during pregnancy
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Caesarean delivery
  • Failure to start, and early end to breastfeeding and / or
  • Greater difficulty losing weight after childbirth. This can increase the risk of becoming overweight or obese after pregnancy, or increase pre-pregnancy overweight

Risks to Your Baby of Excess Maternal Weight Gain During Pregnancy

• • Born smaller or larger than normal
  • Abnormally high red blood cell concentration increasing the risk for clots
  • Having difficulty breathing or needing assisted respiration at birth
  • Abnormally low blood sugar levels at birth and / or
  • Increased risk of obesity and other chronic diseases (Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease) later in life (see ‘foetal programming’ (external link).

Tips

• • Eating a healthy diet and keeping active will help you to maintain a healthy weight gain during pregnancy. See the nutrition and physical activity sections.
  • Weight gain in pregnancy can be affected by factors other than diet and activity, including some medical conditions, medications and fluid retention. If you are concerned, see your doctor.
  • If you are overweight or obese, the King Edward Memorial Hospital’s BLOOM programme (external link) provides useful information and guidance about how to keep healthy during your pregnancy.

>>What weight Is Healthy To Gain In Preganancy For You?>>

Go to the Ngala Healthy You Healthy Baby App
Track your health and wellbeing during pregnancy and the early stages of your child's life as well as receive tips on how to improve or maintain your health. 

Further Information

• • Nutrition
  • Activity
  • Weight
  • Emotions
  • Social life
  • Sleep

Parenting Workshops

• • Building Brains
  • You and Your New Baby
  • Skilled Dads

Ngala Books & DVDs

• • Secrets of Good Sleepers Book
  • Secrets of Good Eaters Book
  • Building Brains for Young Children 0-3 Years DVD

For families of babies and young children who reside or work in W.A.,
if you need further assistance contact the Ngala Helpline
Telephone 9368 9368 or Country Access 1800 111 546
8am to 8pm 7 days a week or

or get support online via the My Ngala Forums

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