Pregnancy and obesity: Know the risks

Articles

Could obesity affect my ability to get pregnant?
How might obesity affect my pregnancy?
What's considered obese?
Will I need specialized care during pregnancy?
What steps can I take to promote a healthy pregnancy?
Content
How is obesity measured?
Could having a high BMI affect my ability to get pregnant?
How might a high BMI affect my pregnancy?
How could obesity affect my baby?
How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?
If I have obesity, will I need special care during pregnancy?
What steps can I take to boost my odds of a healthy pregnancy?

Having a high BMI during pregnancy has been linked to higher risks of various health conditions for a baby, including:

Growth troubles in a fetus called fetal growth restriction.
Conditions present at birth, also called congenital conditions.
A larger than average size at birth, also called fetal macrosomia.
Childhood asthma.
Childhood obesity.
Trouble with thinking, learning, memory, judgment or decision-making.
Taking longer than is typical to reach some milestones in development, also known as developmental delays.

But factors other than a high BMI during pregnancy also might play roles in these health conditions.