Managing your weight in pregnancy

overweight pregnant woman exercising Women who are obese during their pregnancies are at increased risk of suffering from gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, miscarriage and stillbirth. Research also shows that the children of these women are at greater risk of obesity from childhood through to adulthood.

It is estimated that 22 per cent of women are currently obese at the start of their pregnancies.

There are currently few information resources for obese pregnant women, or the health professionals who work with them, that explain these risks and provide them with strategies for pregnancy weight management. Tommy’s has developed separate resources for women (a booklet called Managing your weight in pregnancy) and for professionals (a web based resource) to meet these information needs.

These resources were developed in conjunction with women with a BMI of 30 or more and with maternal nutrition and exercise specialists. Tommy’s is also a stakeholder in the development of the new NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) guidance on Weight Management in Pregnancy and After Childbirth to ensure the information developed reflects these guidelines.

Campaign report

Please download the full Managing your weight in pregnancy campaign report (PDF)

Browse all Tommy's free publications.

Materials

Mini guide for pregnant women classified as clinically obese: Managing your weight in pregnancy is a resource that provides obese pregnant women with information and strategies for managing their weight through safe and appropriate exercise and a nutritious diet.

Website: Tailored web pages on Tommy’s site for frontline professionals that will provide information, strategies and links to relevant guidance on how to support obese pregnant women in managing their weight.

You can order the Managing your weight in pregnancy from our shop or you can visit the online pages for health professionals here.