WUNRN
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UK
- Maternal Deaths Lnked to Obesity |
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Obesity is
the fastest growing cause of women dying in pregnancy or childbirth in the
UK, a report shows. More than half the 295 women who died
during or after pregnancy between 2003 and 2005 were overweight or obese. Experts say the number of deaths - from a
total of two million pregnancies - is low but the trend is very worrying. The Confidential Enquiries into Maternal
Deaths (CEMACH) report calls for more support and advice for obese women
before and during pregnancy.
Gwyneth Lewis, CEMACH
director and the government's maternity tsar, said the figures showed that
childbirth was very safe in the UK. But she said the growing evidence of a link
to obesity was a cause for concern. The figures suggest that a modest amount of
extra weight in pregnancy carries little extra risk, but obesity poses a
significant problem. Fifteen per cent of the mothers who died
were morbid or super-morbidly obese. Dr Lewis said: "Obese pregnant women
are probably at four or five times greater risk of suffering maternal death
than a woman of normal weight - and the same for their babies dying." She is concerned many women are not aware
of the risk associated with obesity. Overall, the UK has one of the lowest rates
of maternal death in the world. However, the death rate in the UK has begun
to rise. In 2003-05 it stood at almost 13.95 per 100,000 births, up from
13.07 in 2000-02, and just 9.83 in 1985-87. With obesity levels predicted to soar
experts say it is vital that women are fully aware they should try to get to
a healthy weight before trying to conceive. The report says excess weight not only puts
a woman at risk of medical complications, it can mask symptoms and cause
logistical problems. In one case, there was a delay in spotting
that a woman was at risk of seizures, because a blood pressure cuff could not
fit around her arm. New equipment At the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in
Gateshead, consultant obstetricians are already seeing a shift in their
clinics and delivery suites. Dr Helene Brandon said around a third of
the pregnant mothers they see are obese, and in an average year they care for
several women with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 50. That would place those women in the highest
risk category of super-morbidly obese. The maternity unit has had to buy a new
operating table that can hold up to 40 stone (254kg) in weight. It is regularly in use, as around half of
obese pregnant women end up having a Caesarean section. The operation usually requires at least one
extra assistant for the surgeon to help manage the bulk of the patient. Dr Brandon said obese patients face higher
risks of certain complications. She said: "The most common ones are
dangerously high blood pressure, heart disease such as angina which could
cause a heart attack in pregnancy - and obese patients are much more prone to
bleeding." Struggle with weight Several miles away on an estate in Jarrow
one of her patients, Maria Thornton is working hard to reduce the risks to
herself and her baby.
Maria is six months pregnant
and weighs 19-and-a-half stone (124kg). She has had a lifelong struggle with her
weight, and had gastric band surgery several years ago. In her last pregnancy, Maria developed
diabetes because of her weight, which brought home to her the risks to her
own health from obesity. Although she is now well informed about the
potential health problems Maria is shocked that obesity is emerging as a
factor in maternal deaths. She said: "It is really quite scary.
You know there are risks, but you don't think of them in terms of fatality -
you kind of think it makes the pregnancy harder or you've got more obstacles
to overcome. "But to hear that it can cost you your
life at the end of the day is quite frightening." Now Maria is going several times a week to
the sure start scheme in Perth Green to use the gym. As a result of regular exercise she has
only put on three pounds (1.36kg) in this pregnancy, following the medical
advice that obese women should aim to maintain their weight. |
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Obese
pregnant women are probably at four or five times greater risk of suffering
maternal death than a woman of normal weight - and the same for their
babies dying 
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