International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Women should try to achieve a healthy pre-pregnancy weight and attempt not to 'eat for two', it has been suggested.

The UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) has issued new guidelines to help with weight management before and during gestation.

Health professionals need to tell women with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more about the health benefits for them and the increased risk of losing their baby associated with being overweight during pregnancy.

BMI is usually a good calculation to determine whether people are at a healthy weight, it measures the rate according to height and weight.

During gestation, health workers should tell women with a BMI of 30 or over of the risks their weight poses to their unborn child.

It is important for women to be told not to diet during pregnancy, but instead to eat more healthily and receive advice from a dietitian or trained health professional, advises Nice.

Professor Mike Kelly, director of the Centre for Public Health Excellence at Nice, said: "This new guidance is about helping health professionals to help women have a healthy pregnancy - it's not about preaching to women."

Posted by Martine Ward