The high weight in the pregnant woman increases the risk of congenital problems
The decision to bring a child to the world is a joy for the family. However, just as the disembarkation of a feeling of happiness implies, it also entails taking into account a series of responsibilities, especially on the part of the mother. The woman must begin to watch over both her health and that of the child and take maximum care of their lifestyle.
One of the details that should be taken into account by women in pregnancy is the weight. Many risks can arise from cases where the mother is overweight or obese during pregnancy, such as the appearance of congenital problems in the baby once he is born. This is indicated by the Karolinska Institute, in Stockholm, Sweden.
The weight of the pregnant woman
The Karolinska Institute's research analyzed a total of 1.2 million of pregnancy cases in Sweden. Those responsible collected data on the weight of women before starting pregnancy and their Body Mass Index, IMC, during this process. At the same time, attention was also given to the state in which the babies were born and if they had presented some type of defect at the time of delivery.
After pooling both data, the researchers found that in general, approximately 3.5% of the children had an important congenital defect that involved the heart, genital organs, extremities, the urinary system, the digestive tract or the nervous system.
But in women who had a normal weight, the probability of giving birth to a baby with some congenital defect descended. As the mother's BMI increased, this risk in children increased. At this point the mother is advised to take into account this factor before deciding to look for a child and start diets recommended by specialists and practice exercise while gestation has not begun.
Ideal weight before pregnancy
This study is not the only one that encourages mothers to find their ideal weight before pregnancy. Another study conducted by the Monash University in Melbourne, which also recommends women to prepare before starting this process to avoid problems during it.
The data from this other research found that 47% of women increased their weight more during pregnancy. On the contrary, 23% did not do enough to comply with the recommended levels. The BMI of the mother is something that should grow during this process, although in its proper measure, as recommended by the authors of this work.
"The rise of healthy weight recommended during pregnancy depends on the weight with which the mother begins the pregnancy, and women who weigh more are recommended to increase less during pregnancy, "said the lead researcher, Dr. Helena Teede. future mothers who seek the ideal weight from the moment they decide to take the step to bring a child to the world.
Of course, even if they achieve the ideal weight, the experts also explain that it is not good to go through the sizing gain. "Regardless from the initial weight of the mother, a too great increase in weight during pregnancy is very common nowadays, and carries significant health risks for the mother and the baby, "says Teede, who denies the myth of" now as for two "that many women take for granted.
Damián Montero
