Are obese pregnant women more likely to have premature births?

Some mothers take adequate nutritional supplements during pregnancy and gain weight. They are worried about premature birth. So are obese pregnant women more likely to have premature births?

Are obese pregnant women more likely to have premature births?

Obesity not only increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, but also increases many risks of pregnancy and childbirth, such as gestational diabetes, pregnancy toxemia, large fetus, dystocia, caesarean section, etc. However, obesity is not completely without benefits. A US study in January 2009 found that obese pregnant women have a lower chance of premature birth. This study analyzed data from 11 hospitals in the United States from 1994 to 1996. The subjects were pregnant women with singletons and at risk of premature birth, such as those who had previous experience of premature birth or bleeding after the second trimester of pregnancy. These pregnant women used a machine to measure the uterine contractions for one hour at home every morning and evening between 22 and 34 weeks. The pregnant women were divided into normal or underweight (BMI less than 25), overweight and obese (BMI greater than 25) based on their BMI (weight divided by the square of height) at this time, and then the uterine contractions and premature births of the two groups of pregnant women were compared. Among the 253 pregnant women, 97 (38.3%) were normal or underweight, while 156 were overweight or obese. Premature births occurred before 35 weeks in 21.7% of normal or underweight women, but only 8.3% of overweight or obese women. The number of uterine contractions increases with the number of weeks of pregnancy (this is normal). The average number of uterine contractions per hour increases from 0.13 at 24 weeks to 0.49 at 35 weeks in normal or underweight women, and from 0 to 0.25 at 35 weeks in overweight or obese women. The highest number of uterine contractions per hour increases from 1 at 24 weeks to 3 at 35 weeks in normal or underweight women, and from 0 to 4 at 35 weeks in overweight or obese women. At the same week, the average number of uterine contractions and the highest number of uterine contractions are smaller in overweight or obese women. This study found that overweight and obese women have a less contractile uterus and are less likely to have premature births, but the exact reason is not clear.

How pregnant women can avoid premature birth

Pay attention to rest: Don’t let yourself be too tired. Modern people are busy at work, under great pressure, and even often work overtime and stay up late. Many premature births are caused by fatigue of pregnant women.

Avoid harmful substances: Protect the embryo from various toxic and harmful substances, such as noise, high temperature, and radiation.

Use medication with caution: In order to provide a better microenvironment for embryo development, it is very important to prevent infection and use medication with caution. Because infectious diseases can cause miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, and neonatal malformations, taking medication during pregnancy may cause miscarriage, stillbirth, teratogenesis, etc., pregnant mothers should be careful.

Pay attention to complications: when there is a threat of premature birth, if you do not actively adjust and treat it, the pregnancy will fail, which may cause habitual abortion over time and will result in infertility. Therefore, if you have the above situation, you must go to a regular hospital for treatment in time.

What to do if pregnant women are obese

Control food intake: Control the intake of foods high in sugar and fat. The amount of rice, pasta and other foods that pregnant women eat every day should not exceed the daily standard supply.

Balanced diet: Pregnant women can add some beans to their daily food, which can ensure the supply of protein and control the amount of fat.

Monitor your weight: Pregnant women should weigh themselves at any time to avoid being overweight, which may lead to difficult labor or miscarriage.

Increase prenatal checkups: Since obese pregnant women are more susceptible to disease and are at risk of premature birth and giving birth to large babies, they should pay more attention to prenatal checkups than ordinary pregnant women and the number of prenatal checkups can be increased appropriately.