Mums-to-be with a BMI over 25 to be warned of risks in pregnancy

Overweight women will be warned about the extra risks they face during pregnancy under new guidelines by health officials.

For the first time, women with a BMI of 25 and above will be told they are more likely to need emergency caesareans and their babies require specialist care, when deciding where to give birth.

Doctors and midwives should warn patients that being overweight heightens the chances of stillbirth and neonatal death, under the draft proposals by NICE.

Regulators said the update in guidance is needed to address the growing levels of maternal obesity, with fewer than half of pregnant women now deemed a healthy weight.

Last night, charities welcomed the advice to improve maternity safety and urged healthcare providers to ‘support rather than stigmatise’ pregnant women.