The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) have published today new guidance on dietary and physical activity interventions for weight management before, during and after pregnancy.
The number of pregnant women who are overweight or obese is on the rise. According to the NHS Information Centre, about half of women of childbearing age are either overweight or obese.
Evidence suggests pregnant women who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of diabetes, pre-eclampsia, miscarriage, caesarean sections and stillbirths.
This new guidance is aimed at healthcare professionals including GPs, obstetricians, midwives, health visitors and dieticians, caring for women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Health professionals can help women understand the importance of achieving a healthy weight prior to and during pregnancy.
Key recommendations include:
- Health professionals should use any appropriate opportunity to provide women with BMI >30 with information about the health benefits of losing weight before becoming pregnant
- Explaining to women with BMI >30 how this poses a risk to both their health and their unborn child
- Provide up-to-date advice on how to lose weight safely after childbirth.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) welcomes these guidelines. Professor Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran RCOG President said “This new national guidance is an important step forward in supporting women planning a baby, through the pregnancy and after giving birth. Increased awareness of these issues is crucial and healthcare professionals need to take a proactive response to this emphasising the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
“We need to support women who are overweight by encouraging them to lead healthier lifestyles. This includes providing them with advice on diet, nutrition and exercise. These healthy behaviours should occur throughout a woman’s lifetime and not just when she is considering starting a family or during pregnancy.
“In order to achieve this, we must work closely with GPs and midwives to encourage women to achieve an appropriate weight level. It is something which needs to be handled sensitively and we must point out the long-term benefits for them and their children.
“The Coalition Government has announced that it will focus on public health issues. We hope these new guidelines are actively promoted to the public.”
Wednesday 28 July
Notes
To view a copy of the NICE Public Health guidance PH27 Dietary interventions and physical activity interventions for weight management before, during and after pregnancy, click here.