Overweight issues and PREGNANCY?

Question

My sister is OVERWEIGHT. I don't mean a little, I mean LOTS.
She just announced she is pregnant. What medical issues happen with the overweight while pregnant?
Diabetes? Etc?

Answer 1

LOTS can mean different things to different people. If she is just overweight she will be fine, even if she is obese she will probably be ok. Unless she is very obese (over 300lbs) there probably isn't much to worry about.
I was 208 lbs when I got pregnant with my son in 2002, and 245lbs when he was born, and I had no problems at all. It was actually fairly easy. at my six week checkup I was already back to 211. Now I am ttc again, and I weigh 230lbs. I am 5ft 5in tall.

As long as she is getting proper prenatal care she will be ok.

Congrats on becoming an aunt!

Answer 2

If she is already overweight and pregnant there is nothing she can do to fix it. I would suggest that she from now on until she delivers the baby to eat very healthy. I have had a couple of friends become pregnant and they are overweight and have had healthy babies. I think that the key is to eat healthy and take care of yourself while pregnant regardless of your weight.

Answer 3

Depends on your definition of overweight!! Diabetes can strike any mother, regardless of pre-pregnancy weight. Some overweight women have more difficult deliveries, but it never bothered me.

Answer 4

diabetes will be a concern to the doctors, since she is overweight. she might have to get tested for it in her 2nd trimester, i think. also, eventually high blood pressure could become an issue when shes further along

p.s. whats with the thumbs down? this is what i went through and i weighed about 250

Answer 5

There's no guarantee she'll run into problems or anything, but it's far from ideal.

One study:

"The rate of occurrence of most of the outcomes increased with increasing body mass index category. Compared with lean women, both overweight and obese women had a significantly increased risk for gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, eclampsia, cesarean delivery, and delivery of a macrosomic infant. CONCLUSIONS: Among nulliparous women, not only prepregnancy obesity but also overweight increases the risk of pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes."

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1446581

And another:

"Maternal obesity and pregnancy outcome: a study of 287 213 pregnancies in London

In all cases, increasing maternal BMI was associated with increased magnitude of risk.

CONCLUSION: Maternal obesity carries significant risks for the mother and foetus. The risk increases with the degree of obesity and persists after accounting for other confounding demographic factors."

http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v25/n8/abs/0801670a.html

Answer 6

If the chick above me cant spell fetus, then maybe not take advice. I am 250 lbs and not morbidly obese, but fat. I am having no problems but truthfully us ladies that are big have a gard time breathing going up stairs and long walks, etc. Have her put her feet up even now, and drink drink drink water. Take prenatal vites, and heard it was good to walk. If she feels like she is doing to much and feeling ill or faint, to stop what shes doing and cool it. Good Luck, FYI and 4 mos preg

Answer 7

nothing to worry about they will check hr like they do every women for diabeties and high blood pressure. overweight is not a problem in pregnancy. the only difference is they ask that you gain 15-25 lbs insted of 25-35lbs. dont worry she will be fine congrats auntie!