Conceiving One Year after Weight Loss Surgery Avoids Pregnancy-Related Complications

A body mass index (BMI) of 19 to 25 is the ideal weight for conceiving. A healthy body and weight during pregnancy is crucial for having a healthy child. However, one third of women- childbearing age and one in five pregnant women in the United States are obese.

To avoid negative impact of maternal obesity on children, many women prefer to undergo weight loss surgery or bariatric surgery before planning children. However, many of them are not fully informed or often confused about the right and safe time for conceiving after the surgery.

Solving this problem, according to a new study, women should plan their pregnancy only one year after their weight loss surgery, to avoid many pregnancy related complications.

A team of researchers led by Rahat Khan, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust looked at obesity among women of reproductive age and safety of pregnancy shortly after bariatric surgery. They found conceiving after losing weight safer than pregnancy in obese women.

However, according to the authors, in some cases, women who underwent weight loss surgery can experience surgical complications during pregnancy. They also found conceiving before completing one year after the surgery leading to spontaneous miscarriages.

Researchers recommend women to seek the help and advice of health experts including obstetricians, surgeons, primary care clinicians, anesthetists, fertility specialists, nutritionists, psychologists and plastic surgeons to avoid complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

"Pregnancy after bariatric surgery is safer than pregnancy in morbidly obese women. Women who have had bariatric surgery generally tolerate pregnancy well. However, there are risks involved and patients must be well informed," Jason Waugh, editor-in-chief of the journal, The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist (TOG), said in a news release. "Optimal education should be encouraged in these individuals so that they can make well informed decisions about planning pregnancy after their surgery."

Findings of the study have been published in The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist (TOG).