A lot of people opt for bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery to lose the extra pound. The number of people opting for weight loss surgery has seen dramatic results and benefits. A major portion of women who undergo bariatric surgery ponder about the risks for the future pregnancy and also about getting pregnant. It is common knowledge that obese women are more prone to complications during pregnancy and a weight life surgery can help overcome those complications. This article lists seven facts that one should know about pregnancy after weight loss surgery.
Expected Boost To Fertility
Weight loss surgery can cause a sudden positive boost in a woman’s fertility.
According to a report published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and
Neonatal Nursing in November 2005, women with fertility problems due to obesity
can start to ovulate for the first time in years regularly after a weight loss
surgery. Obesity affects fertility at different levels by affecting the
functions of the endometrial layer and ovaries. Obesity is a major cause of
PCOS. In women with such problems, a study showed 58% spontaneous conception
rates.
Weight loss surgery is
also said to affect polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Bariatric surgery may
improve fertility in women with PCOS. According to a study in the Journal of
Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, significant improvement in metabolic and
reproductive abnormalities were seen in women with PCOS following bariatric
surgery. A caveat one has to keep in mind is that the newfound fertility might
raise the chances of getting pregnant by accident in case any birth control
measures haven’t been used.
18 Months Gap Before Planning For A Pregnancy is A Must
Once the weight
stabilizes, it is safe to get pregnant after weight loss surgery. Post-surgery,
the body goes through a stressful period accompanied by changes and nutrition
disruption which might be dangerous for a developing baby. Though pregnancy
after bariatric surgery is not an issue, getting pregnant becomes a crucial
concern during recovery. The 18 months gap between bariatric surgery and
getting pregnant is recommended by doctors to prevent the fetus from
malnutrition. According to a report published in the Journal of Obstetric,
Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing, November 2005 issue, a gap of 18 months
between bariatric surgery and getting pregnant minimizes the potential malnutrition
of the mother and the fetus. By the end of 18 months after the surgery, a woman
would mostly attain stable weight and can safely carry the baby.
Must Monitor The Nutrient Intake
Lack of proper nutrient
intake during the recovery period might cause various problematic nutrient
deficiencies at the time of pregnancy. A study published in the American
Journal of Medical Science stated that the common nutritional deficiencies
associated with weight loss surgery include B12, iron, calcium, and vitamin D
deficiencies. There are high chances for the patient to experience
protein-calorie malnutrition and fat malabsorption following the surgery. Most
women take as low as 500 calories a day and have to take a vitamin to
compromise with vitamins that would no longer be processed by the body.
Getting the essential
nutrients becomes a Herculean task during pregnancy due to nausea. Nausea is a
common post-surgery side effect that can be exaggerated by morning sickness.
One can consider taking anti-nausea drugs to prevent nausea from killing the
appetite.
Consult a nutritionist
who is knowledgeable about bariatric surgery and make sure that you and your
baby get enough nutrients. One should mention every nitty-gritty detail about
the surgery and diet to get a perfect national plan.
Complication Risks Drop But Aren’t Completely Gone
A study published in
Obstetrics and Gynaecology stated that women who underwent bariatric surgery
seemed to develop pregnancy-induced hypertension and gestational diabetes.
Though women who get bariatric surgery are still plus size, pregnant women
should allow the doctor to keep a close watch on their pregnancy. After the
surgery, the moms-to-be still have the risk of developing gestational diabetes,
but it is not as high as before the surgery.
One Must Face A Body-Image Battle
One of the biggest
emotional challenges during pregnancy after weight-loss surgery is body image.
The mom-to-be should accept the fact that her belly would grow, and she has to
sustain some scars. According to psychologists, women who have undergone weight
loss surgery find it extremely difficult to accept that they will gain weight
during pregnancy. Another emotional fact adding fire to the fuel is that during
pregnancy people feel stressed and tend to eat at times of stress. This leads
women to take extreme decisions such as dieting during pregnancy or gaining
back some weight due to more food. Both the decisions result in stressful and
dangerous consequences.
Cesarean Delivery is More Likely To Happen
A study published in the
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reports that women who have
undergone weight loss surgery are most likely to end up with a cesarean. Though
the reasons and contributing factors are not clear, the factors help healthcare
providers stay well-informed.
Inform The Gynecologist About Your Surgery
Since bariatric surgery
is a relatively new treatment, a lot of ob-gyms are not aware of how to treat
the women who have had the surgery. Women who had the surgery were not aware of
how to inform the doctor or didn’t want to. It is best to start a session with an obstetric and gynecology specialist for a smooth and well-planned pregnancy
after the bariatric surgery. The extra time allows the doctor to do some
research regarding the health of the mother and child.
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