An recent article in the New York Times reported that women who become pregnant after weight loss surgery have healthier babies than obese women in general. The study reviewed 75 separate studies of women who delivered babies after having bariatric surgery. These women reported less incidence of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, low birth weight, and premature delivery. The babies were also healthier in general.
Reports estimate that 50,000 women each year have bariatric surgery to induce weight loss. One-third of American women are obese. Obese mothers have higher rates of neural tube defects, stillborn infants, and premature births. The article quotes Dr. Laura Riley, the medical director of labor and delivery at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Riley feels it is important that obese women understand these risks. Dr. Riley says, “I often see women who come in who are morbidly obese, and they say they’ll try to lose 10 or 15 pounds. That’s nice, but the majority don’t lose the weight and just come back pregnant. With this kind of data, it’s easier to say, ‘You are better off having bariatric surgery and losing 100 pounds and then getting pregnant.’”
Click here to review the CDC's guidelines on obesity and see if you are at a healthy weight.
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