Pregnancy is one of the most anticipated events in a woman's life who dreams of fulfilling motherhood. Even if the primary function of a woman's body is to carry life in her womb, this life event is still something to prepare for.
Women who are obese before and during their pregnancy are at twice the risk of their baby dying before it reaches the age of one. While experts recommend to women trying to conceive that losing weight before trying to become pregnant and only gaining the required amount of weight which is only 15- 25 pounds 'significantly' reduces the risk of infant death- defined as death of a baby before it turns one.
In a study funded by the National Institute of Health that investigates the link of obesity in women to infant mortality, Dr. Katherine Himes, associate professor at Pitt's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said that, "Obesity and infant mortality are among the most critical public health issues today".
An alarming number of around 24,000 infants die in their first year of life in the US annually. 6.1 deaths per 1,000 live births in America ranks 26th in the world despite a 20 percent decline in the US infant mortality rate from 1990 to 2010.
According to Dr. Lisa Bodnar, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh who spearheads the study, "One in three women start pregnancy at an unhealthy weight and more than half of women gain either too much or too little weight during pregnancy".
Dr. Bodnar added that "while more research needs to be conducted, we are hopeful that this study can be used to start a dialogue between physicians and women on the importance of not only gaining a healthy amount of weight while pregnant, but also reducing excess weight before they become pregnant as a potential way to improve infant survival".
The study examined records from more than 1.2 million live births in Pennsylvania from 2003 to 2011 and among them were 5,530 infant deaths.
Weight counselling prior and during conception could be key to raising such awareness among women while findings highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to reducing obesity among women of a reproductive age, according to experts.
''We hope this information empowers providers, including obstetricians, family doctors and primary care physicians, to discuss the benefits of preconception weight loss with all obese, reproductive-age women", research co- author Dr. Himes stated.
