New call for official guidance on weight gain in pregnancy

Although 20 per cent of women in Britain are obese at the start of pregnancy, there is currently no published or adhered to measure of normal pregnancy weight gain throughout the UK.

The historical practice of regular weight monitoring ceased in the 1990s, because of concerns that they caused pregnant women needless anxiety for questionable gain.

However given the current situation, the National Institute for Care and Excellence is now reviewing its advice in relation to weight in pregnancy.

Current guidelines stipulate that height and weight should be measured at the first antenatal appointment, but not repeated throughout the pregnancy.

The Royal College of Midwives’ Mandy Forrester, said although some midwives in the UK were now using weight guidelines published in the US, others had no access to weighing scales.

“There is a clear need for midwives to have the tools, guidance and training they need so they can offer women the best possible support and care. This is especially pressing because of the potentially serious complications that can arise in pregnancy as a result of women being overweight or obese.”

Women with a BMI over 30 and who are considered obese when they become pregnant have a higher risk of complications such as pre-eclampsia, miscarriage and gestational diabetes.

Furthermore, according to research, being overweight during pregnancy may also have a negative impact on the health of the baby.

Chadwick Lawrence’s team of medical negligence lawyers have years of experience in high value and complex medical negligence compensation claims and have an excellent record. The team is led by Tony May, a specialist cerebral palsy and birth injury solicitor, who has over 20 years experience in handling cases in which babies have been brain damaged or sustained other injuries as a result of medical negligence. He and his team continue to represent many cerebral palsy children and young adults in medical negligence claims. Tony also acts as the Court of Protection Deputy for many of the cerebral palsy and brain damaged clients that he has represented, so we can continue to support you after your case is settled. Tony can be contacted by email on tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk. Alternatively, please call and speak to any of Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist medical negligence Legal Aid and no win-no fee solicitors for free legal advice on the freephone number below.

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