Pregnancy health news
Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman’s life, but it can also be one of the most complicated, health-wise - during pregnancy, women are at risk for conditions such as hypertension and gestational diabetes. It has been well-documented that obesity during pregnancy increases a woman’s risk for those conditions, and recent findings indicate that it is a risk factor for the fetus as well. According to a British study reported in the Los Angeles Times, the children of obese mothers are at an elevated risk of birth defects.
3% of all infants have birth defects, but the study, conducted at Newcastle University, reveals that the rate is 4% among the children of obese mothers. These birth defects include, but are not limited to, heart defects, cleft palate, limb reduction defects, anorectal atresia, and spina bifida. Many of these birth defects are potentially fatal - one-fifth of infant deaths are the result of birth defects. In the infants who survive these defects, quality of life is often compromised, as birth defects can result in disability and a lifelong need for medical intervention. The cause of the increased risk was not determined, but it is speculated that nutritional factors play a part. Nutrition during pregnancy is critical for proper fetal development, according to the Mayo Clinic’s article on prenatal nutrition. In particular, folic acid is noted for its properties in reducing the likelihood of certain birth defects in the spine and brain. A woman who monitors her weight during pregnancy may be more likely to give special attention to proper nutrition as well.
