Study Reveals How Obesity During Pregnancy Can Harm Mother And Child

There have been several speculations about the effect of weight on pregnancy and the health of the child and mother. After several debates, a recent study has reportedly confirmed that obesity can have a dangerous effect on the health of the unborn child as well as the mother.

In modern times, the medical field witnesses many cases of complicated pregnancies caused by faulty lifestyle habits and modern health problems. It has become common to have a rare condition during pregnancy affecting the child as well as the mother. The researchers are conducting many studies and surveys to determine the effect of various modern situations and conditions on pregnancy. One such study that was recently published in The Journal of Physiology revealed that maternal obesity can prove to be fatal for the unborn child and the mother.

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Effect Of Obesity During Pregnancy

There has been an increase in gestational diabetes and obesity among pregnant women and though it was known that both these conditions affected the health of the unborn child and mother, the reason for this effect was still unknown. However, a recent study revealed that the mother’s excess weight during pregnancy changes the structure of the placenta and hence, changes the nourishment the baby receives in the womb. Obesity affects the surface area, the blood vessel intensity and its nutrient exchange capacity causing it to function abnormally.

The study also found that gestational diabetes and obesity often co-exist but it is obesity that majorly affects the functions of the placenta. The findings from the study help in determining placenta changes which will facilitate the development of treatments for tar-getting placenta development in the future. The study was conducted on 71 women out of which 38 had gestational diabetes and 52 suffered from obesity. The researchers believe that the gender of the baby plays a role during placental changes but since the volunteers used for the study were fewer in number, much information cannot be deduced on the topic.

Several studies have been working to determine the factors that affect the sexual health of women in the modern world. Another recent study in Odisha found that Tuberculosis in the female reproductive organs is a prime reason for infertility, especially in the state as 18% of infertility cases in women are caused by TB. Since the disease is not easily detectable, it restricts embryo formation by damaging the fallopian tube, ovary, cervix and endometrium.