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Eating too much while pregnant might expose your baby to diabetes later on in life

Pregnancy
 Photo:Courtesy

Women are being urged to avoid piling on the baby weight as health experts fear that we are facing a health time bomb

Eating for two raises the chance of mums-to-be developing a condition which may harm their child’s health.

Research reveals babies are six times more likely to get Type 2 diabetes later in life if their mums suffer gestational diabetes.

Women are being urged to avoid piling on too much baby weight to make it less likely they will develop the pregnancy-related ¬condition.

And the Diabetes study also warns increasing rates of it mean we could be facing a “health timebomb”.

Chief executive Barbara Young said: “Gestational diabetes can cause birth defects, stillbirth and complications for the mother.

“But it is also important women understand it leaves a frightening legacy, putting the child at increased risk of a serious health condition.

“Given that we know being overweight significantly increases risk of gestational diabetes, we need to get across the message that making sure they are a healthy weight is important for their child’s health and that this health benefit may stretch many years into the future.”

According to the NHS, as many as one in five pregnant women get gestational diabetes, which is caused by too much glucose in the blood.

In addition to weight, other risk factors include having gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, having a previous child who weighed more than 10lbs at birth and being over 25.

The condition usually clears up after the baby arrives, but sufferers are seven times more likely to go on to develop Type 2.

Experts urge moderate exercise in pregnancy and a healthy diet. Dr David Richmond, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: “Changes to lifestyle, including diet and ¬exercise, can have positive effects.”

Diabetes UK added that women trying to conceive should keep a healthy weight to lower the risk of gestational diabetes.

New clinical guidelines which lowered the glucose level considered acceptable means women are now diagnosed earlier.

A balanced diet is the way to go

Pregnant women must eat healthily to enable their baby to develop and grow, writes Health Editor Andrew Gregory.

Experts say there is no need to go on a special diet, but it’s important to eat a variety of different foods every day to get the right balance of nutrients that you and your baby need.

It is best to get vitamins and minerals from the foods you eat, but when you’re pregnant you need to take some supplements as well, to make sure you get everything you need.

Carmel Lloyd, head of education at the Royal College of Midwives, said: “Women should try to be an ideal weight before they become pregnant and, if not, should follow midwifery advice to manage their weight in pregnancy while maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet.

“We also need to ensure that women who require it are signposted to appropriate weight management services and social support.”

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