A high body weight on conception and during pregnancy can have health implications for both the mother and child. Obese mothers have an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, delivering via Caesarean section and giving birth to large-for-gestational-age infants or infants with congenital anomalies. Women need to be educated about the importance of achieving a healthy body weight before conception, to avoid complications during pregnancy and prevent perinatal perturbations.
Nursing Standard. 22, 49, 42-46. doi: 10.7748/ns2008.08.22.49.42.c6639
Correspondence Peer reviewThis article has been subject to double blind peer review
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