Clinics cut pregnancy risks for obese women
Women who received the specialist care were eight times less likely to have a stillbirth. Health experts say the clinic helps them to spot signs of complications sooner, so that women can be given appropriate treatment. It also helps them to pinpoint those who need to be induced early or undergo an elective caesarean to avoid problems during labour. The team tracked more than 1000 pregnant women classed as being severely obese during pregnancy because they had a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above. Around half of the women attended a specialist obesity clinic while the others received standard antenatal care. Those that attended the obesity clinic were treated by a team that included obstetricians, specialist midwives, dieticians and other clinical experts. They were given tailored advice about healthy eating and weight management during pregnancy, and were tested for diseases such as gestational diabetes. Women who developed a complication could be treated in one vis...