• Assessment and measurement of the fetus can be more difficult
• Backaches
• Leg pain
• Increased fatigue
• Varicose veins
• Vaginal delivery becomes difficult or impossible making cesarean section the only option.
• Excess weight may be hard to shed

The baby's weight at birth and mother's weight do not always correlate. For example, it is possible for a woman who gains 35 pounds during pregnancy to deliver a 6 pound baby. The quality of food you eat is more significant than the quantity. Also remember pregnancy is not a time to diet because your baby can not survive on calories alone because nutrients are also needed.

How does being obese affect my pregnancy?

Most overweight women have healthy pregnancies and deliver without complications. However, women who put on too much weight during pregnancy risk not only keeping that weight after birth, but also have higher rates of complications, such as developing high blood pressure and gestational diabetes or requiring a C-section. “Preeclampsia is about twice as prevalent among overweight, and about three times as prevalent among obese women, as it is among normal weight women," said Dr. Michael Katz, senior vice president for research at the March of Dimes.

However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks that extra weight can have. Pregnant women who are struggling with obesity may have:

• An increased risk for gestational diabetes and high blood pressure
• Irregular ovulation which can make due date estimations difficult.
• Difficulty with hearing the heartbeat, and reading the size of the uterus
• Difficulty with delivery if the fetus is much larger than average

Fortunately, appropriate medical and self care can lower the risks of these complications.

Medically you can expect that more tests may be done during pregnancy. These include ultrasounds to measure your baby's size, glucose tolerance test to screen for gestational diabetes, and other diagnostic tests later in pregnancy to monitor your baby's development.

The following self care tips are ways you can make your pregnancy a healthy one for you and your baby:

• Avoid pregnancy risks such as drinking and smoking
• Try not to gain too much weight, your doctor will provide recommended weight gain
• Keep your daily intake of calories to at least 1,800. Be selective about your food choices; choose food sources that contain vitamins, minerals, and protein