Will my baby be able to
get enough nutrients?
Pregnancy after gastric bypass can be safe and healthy if
managed well by you and your health care provider. In fact, research suggests
that pregnancy after weight-loss surgery might be safer for both mother and
baby than pregnancy complicated by obesity.
Although more research is needed, studies suggest that
weight-loss surgery might protect obese women and their babies from
obesity-related problems during pregnancy. Examples include gestational
diabetes, and preeclampsia — high blood pressure and signs of damage to another
organ system, often the kidneys, after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
If you have had weight-loss surgery and are considering
pregnancy, consult your health care provider for preconception planning. You
might also consult a registered dietitian along with your gastric bypass surgeon for advice on nutrition and weight gain during pregnancy.
Experts typically
recommend postponing pregnancy until your weight stabilizes — typically at
least 12 to 18 months after surgery. Some experts recommend waiting longer.
Rapid or persistent weight loss might deprive a growing baby of important
nutrients, leading to low birth weight. To monitor your baby's growth, your
health care provider might recommend a fetal ultrasound during the third
trimester....
