In Vitro Fertility Goddess.
Monday 22 September 2008
Source: Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Montreal
Obese women could be at greater risk of suffering multiple miscarriages.
New research has found that women who have already miscarried are more likely to miscarry again if they are over weight.
A team from St Mary's Hospital in London surveyed close to 700 women who had suffered a so-called unexplained miscarriage and found that the risk of a recurrent miscarriage increased by 73% among those who were obese.
Lead author and clinical nurse specialist Winnie Lo says the study is "the first to look directly at the link between BMI and recurrent miscarriage. It shows that obese women who experience recurrent miscarriage are at greater risk of subsequent pregnancy loss."
She added that "all women with recurrent miscarriage should be weighed at their first consultation. Those who are found to be obese should be advised regarding the benefits of weight loss in increasing their chances of a successful pregnancy and programs should be in place to help with the weight loss process."
However, one leading endocrinologist has warned obese pregnant women against undertaking crash diets during pregnancy as this has been shown to cause serious problems to the unborn baby.
Sarah Williams, IVFG Reporter
