Being overweight or obese during pregnancy can cause problems for the baby. It gives rises to plenty of complications and it becomes more dangerous when you try to lose weight during pregnancy.

If you’re overweight or obese during pregnancy, you’re more likely to have these complications:

1. High blood pressure, preeclampsia and blood clotting: If you have high blood pressure your chance of getting diabetes during pregnancy is high.

2.Gestational diabetes: If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, don’t worry much because the majority of ladies deliver healthy babies and have normal gestation if the diabetes is controlled with dietary changes and medications as per your doctor’s advice.
But if not treated properly some problems (doctors will tell you) can occur to your pregnancy/delivery and your baby.

3. Cesarean birth (also called c-section). This is surgery in which your baby is born through a cut that your doctor makes in your belly and uterus (womb).

If you’re obese, you’re more likely to have complications from a c-section, like an infection or losing too much blood. During pregnancy, do these things to help keep you and your baby healthy:

1. Get early and regular prenatal care. Prenatal care is the medical care you get during pregnancy. Go to every prenatal care checkup, even if you’re feeling fine. Your provider gives you prenatal tests, like a glucose screening test for diabetes and ultrasound to get a picture of your baby in the womb.

2. Talk to your provider about how much weight to gain during pregnancy. If you’re overweight, you want to gain about 15 to 25 pounds during pregnancy. If you’re obese, your target range is 11 to 20 pounds.

3. Eat healthy foods. Talk to your provider or a nutritionist to help you plan your meals. Check out choosemyplate.gov from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It can help you make a healthy eating plan based on your age, weight, height and physical activity. It also has a special section just for pregnant women.

4. Don’t diet. Some diets can reduce the nutrients your baby needs to grow and develop. Don’t try to stay at the same weight or lose weight during pregnancy.

5. Do something active every day. Talk to your provider about activities that are safe for you.