New Study - Obese Pregnant Woman May be Able to Lose Weight Safely

The last thing most pregnant women think about is losing weight whether they are obese or thin. There body wants food and they oblige the boy’s demands. However, obese pregnant women are at a higher risk for complications during pregnancy and delivery.

Weight Gain Guidelines

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) said obese women should gain between eleven and twenty pounds during pregnancy. That is between twenty-five and thirty-five pounds less than what is recommended for a pregnant woman within her normal weight range.

Weight Loss Study

Dr. Marie Blomberg, of the University of Linkoping in Sweden, reviewed the medical records for more than 46,000 obese pregnant women who gave birth between 1993 and 2008. The women were placed in one of three categories. “Class 1 obesity, which means a body mass index (BMI) of between 30 and 35; class 2 (a BMI between 35 and 40); and class 3 (BMI of 40 or higher).”

Conclusion

Dr. Blomberg is quoted as saying, “The findings suggest that it is "at least not harmful" for very obese pregnant women to gain less than the IOM recommends, or possibly lose pounds, Blomberg told Reuters Health by email.” She did not say how much weight would be considered not harmful further studies are needed.