We all know that being overweight can affect one’s health in many ways, including increased risk of heart disease. But women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should be aware that significant extra weight can endanger both mother and child. Expectant mothers who are severely overweight may face additional risks during pregnancy, as well as the labor and delivery process. Obese women are more likely to endure adverse conditions and events, including hypertension, preeclampsia, cesarean section delivery, gestational diabetes, and fetal growth abnormalities.
Healthy Weight Control, Healthy Pregnancy
Various studies have shown that maternal weight can have a direct effect on how much pre- and post-natal care is needed, length of hospitalization, and the cost of pregnancy-related care. With the help of the adjustable gastric band, expectant mothers can reduce their risks. Proper use and management of the band can be highly effective in helping pregnant women to control food intake during pregnancy and regulate the amount of weight they gain for a healthy, gradual increase.
Women who have LAP-BAND® surgery before becoming pregnant can get a head start on improving the odds of a healthy delivery. After weight loss surgery, the band can be adjusted throughout the pregnancy according to the mother’s and baby’s nutrition/caloric needs.
Positive Findings for Mothers With LAP-BAND®
In a study done at Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Australia,1 a group of doctors managed and monitored LAP-BAND® placement in expectant mothers in an effort to successfully control healthy weight outcomes for mothers and babies. The group experienced no premature births, low birth weights, or cesarean births, and the complications were minimal. This study showed that the ability to adjust the band “allowed optimal control of maternal weight change in pregnancy and should help avoid the risks of excessive weight change.” Keep in mind that the LAP-BAND® alone does not guarantee successful, healthy weight management. Supervision by a physician and nutritional specialist, and other types of weight loss surgery support, are crucial for ensuring necessary vitamin and mineral intake (via food and supplementation) during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
At Lap Band Rockies, Dr. Kirshenbaum and his team help expectant mothers reach optimal health with the LAP-BAND® procedure and corresponding fitness and nutrition plans. If you are interested in learning more about how the adjustable gastric band can help women reduce risks and minimize complications during pregnancy, please contact Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum at his Denver, Colorado center today.
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Note: For women who are trying to conceive, weight loss has also been shown to have a positive effect on fertility. Ideally, obese women should aim to reach a healthy weight prior to pregnancy. You may be a good candidate for the adjustable gastric band if you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater, or 35 or greater with hypertension, sleep apnea, joint pain, or 30 or greater with Type II diabetes.
—Lindsey Kesel, Bariatric Consultant
1. Dixon, John; Dixon, Maureen; O’Brien, Paul, “Pregnancy after LAP-BAND Surgery: Management of the Band to Achieve Healthy Weight Outcomes,” Obesity Surgery, 11, 2001, pp. 60 – 65.
Tags: LAP-BAND and pregnancy
