A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular physical activity, is important during pregnancy to ensure the health of you and your growing baby. Although weight loss in pregnancy is not recommended, avoiding too much weight gain can reduce the risk of conditions such as gestational diabetes. “Eating for two” is a myth, as energy requirements do not increase until the third trimester of pregnancy where only 200 extra kcals of energy are needed.

Healthy weight

Classification

BMI (kg/ M2)

Healthy weight

18.5-24.9

Overweight

25-29.9

Obesity 1

30-34.9

Obesity 2

35-39.9

Obesity 3

40 or more

When you have your first appointment with your midwife, they will measure your height and weight and use these figures to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). This will help us to determine the best type of care for you and your baby.

Healthy lifestyle: Your BMI is an important factor in your care during pregnancy

It’s important that we do this, as higher BMI levels may increase the risk of pregnancy complications, such as:

  • Miscarriage
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes in pregnancy
  • Shoulder dystocia (baby’s shoulder becoming stuck at delivery)
  • Failed epidural or spinal anaesthesia
  • Thrombosis (blood clots)
  • An inefficient labour – which could increase the risk of needing a Caesarean section and excessive bleeding after baby is born
  • Wound infection

For your baby, the risk factors include:

  • High birth weight
  • Poor health at birth, due to difficulties during pregnancy or the birth
  • Long-term weight problems

It’s important that you don’t try and diet and set out to lose weight while you’re pregnant, there are some very useful changes you can make to your everyday routine and what you eat, that can help your baby’s growth to follow a healthy pattern. This also means you don’t gain excessive weight, which may be hard to lose after your baby is born.

You may decide to access additional support from a Weight Management programme, and you can discuss this with your midwife or GP, who will be happy to give you advice on what is best for you.

If your BMI is 35 or above, you will be referred to an anaesthetist who will talk to you about some of the difficulties associated with being overweight while pregnant, which could be a factor in an emergency.

We understand that it can be difficult to talk to someone about your weight, but we want you to know that we are here to support you, to offer clear advice and help you to feel your best at this very special time in your life. We will always be sensitive and discreet.

Unless you have been advised by your doctor not to exercise for a particular reason, there’s no reason not to exercise during your pregnancy. In fact, it’s great for you and your baby!

It also means that your body can be better prepared for physical demands of labour, birth, and the early days of being a mother.

Ask your midwife for more information about exercise sessions in your area that are suitable for pregnant women.

Sexual health is an important part of your health and your baby’s health.  As part of your antenatal care you will be offered routine tests for your health.  These will include tests to detect Hepatitis B, Syphilis and HIV.  Chlamydia screening will also be offered on a routine urine sample for women under 25 years old or if there is a significant history .

However, there are other sexually transmitted infections (STI) that are not normally tested for but that can affect you and your baby’s health and may cause you discharge or pain and discomfort. Therefore, it’s important to discuss with your midwife if you are concerned re any symptoms, you may have so a confidential sexual health check- up can be arranged. 

All pregnant women get free prescriptions and Free NHS dental care only during pregnancy and for one year afterwards. Your midwife will complete a medical exemption form for you so you are entitled to this. 

It is important to see a Dentist if you are not already registered with one.