Extreme maternal weight causes pregnancy risks

It is vitally important that pregnant women lead a healthy lifestyle, as tests show that those with weight issues often experience complications during labour.

New maternal and newborn health research conducted by the University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves in Granada has shown that obese and underweight females can encounter problems both during pregnancy and once their child is born.

Published in the Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, the findings indicate that overweight ladies are at risk of developing diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

Meanwhile, those deemed to be too thin are prone to oligohydramnios - which is a reduction in the amount of amniotic liquid. Their children are also likely to be underweight too.

Leading author of the study Sebastian Manzanares says the results should act as a warning to women who have neglected their health.

"Severely or morbidly obese mothers have a higher risk of adverse results and perinatal mortality and therefore should be advised about weight loss," he remarked.