Having weight loss surgery may increase your risk of requiring a
caesarean, although it is not clear exactly why this is the case, or
what factors are involved.
Talk to your Midwife or Obstetrician about your chances of needing
a caesarean delivery, and your preferences for delivering your
baby. While a caesarean is relatively safe, it does carry more risks
than a normal vaginal delivery.
Your risk of complications is lower, but it doesn’t
go away
In general, pregnancy and childbirth after weight loss surgery is
actually much safer than becoming pregnant while still obese.
Research has shown that weight loss surgery may reduce the
risk of some of the obesity-related problems during pregnancy.
However, the risks of complications still exist.
You may be more likely to need a caesarean
Following weight loss surgery, you may be less likely to develop the
following:
• Gestational diabetes, or high blood sugar (glucose) during
pregnancy.
• High blood pressure.
• Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure, fluid build-up in the body,
and protein in the urine).
• Large birth weight babies, which increases the risk of Caesarean
delivery.
• More minor complications including headaches and heartburn
(reflux).
Women who have had weight loss surgery may also gain less
weight during their pregnancy than people who become pregnant
while still obese.
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