The only part of Victoria where maternal obesity has not risen is a tiny spot in Melbourne’s inner-east, which experts say shows the significance of wealth and access to services.
More women are giving birth while statistically obese, a trend researchers say could have serious effects on the health of them and their babies.
Of 710,364 births, the proportion of mothers with what is considered “normal” BMI declined from about 50 per cent in 2009 to 46.8 per cent in 2019.As someone who has lived in a larger body, midwife and researcher Professor Linda Sweet said she understood the importance of reducing stigma, especially because it helped women with a higher BMI feel they could engage with medical services. But she said the upward trajectory of pregnant women’s BMI carried concerning risks.
The Mallee, which has the highest level of economic disadvantage, also had the largest increase in obesity among pregnant women, from 24.5 per cent in 2010 to 31.8 per cent in 2019. “ can affect all stages of pregnancy and the postpartum period,” De Luca said. “These women are at much higher rates of developing diabetes, have a high incidence of hypertension and pre-eclampsia and are also at risk of having babies with abnormalities.”can increase the risk of babies having spina bifida, linked with gestational diabetes, or of babies being born smaller or of stillbirth, “particularly as you get closer to the due date”.
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