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Johns Hopkins Health - Maintaining a Healthy Weight in Pregnancy

Summer 2012
Issue No. 17

Maintaining a Healthy Weight in Pregnancy

Date: July 18, 2012


pregnancy

Two out of three women of reproductive age are overweight or obese. And being overweight during pregnancy can cause a host of problems for mother and baby.

Many primary Ob/Gyns aren’t prepared to handle some of the unique needs of these women. That’s why Johns Hopkins established the Nutrition in Pregnancy Clinic, to help women who are obese—their body mass index, a ratio of weight relative to height, is 30 or greater—achieve and maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy.

Obese expectant mothers are at risk for diabetes, heart disease and difficulties with delivery, including increased odds of needing a cesarean section and a greater chance of infection. There is also a higher chance of other complications, including miscarriage or malformation.

In addition, babies born to overweight mothers are more likely to be overweight or prone to cardiac troubles later in life, says Janice Henderson, M.D., a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Johns Hopkins.

“The clinic provides resources that can help women make an investment in their own health and the health of their babies, now and in the future,” adds Henderson, who leads the clinic with fellow maternal-fetal medicine specialist Erika Werner, M.D. For more information, appointments or consultations, call 877-546-1872.

Attend a Free Online Seminar
Nutrition in Pregnancy: A Weighty Issue
Thursday, September 27, 7–8 p.m. EDT

Obese expectant mothers are at a greater risk for health problems including diabetes and heart disease. Join Johns Hopkins Ob/Gyn Janice Henderson, M.D., as she discusses weight and pregnancy and what you can do to have a healthier pregnancy. Learn what changes to make in your lifestyle and diet that will carry you through your pregnancy and beyond. To register, visit hopkinsmedicine.org/healthseminars.

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