Mums warned over post-pregnancy weight

MOTHERS who gain or lose lots of weight between pregnancies could be putting their baby at risk, experts warn today.

The trend for new mothers to try to copy celebrity role models and lose lots of weight in a short amount of time could be detrimental to their child’s health. But women who pile on the pounds after giving birth also put their next child at risk, they said.

Effects can include premature birth, greater risk of stillbirth and high blood pressure.

Doctors and midwives say that women should try to maintain their “optimum” – or stable – weight before, during and after pregnancy to give their child the best start in life.

Helen Rogers, head of the Royal College of Midwives in Wales, said, “Women see so-called celebrities who lose two stone in a month and they look amazing but they forget that these people have personal trainers and nannies and nothing else to do except get back into shape, which is their job.

Source:icwales.icnetwork.co.uk