Pregnancy and healthy weight

Why is a healthy weight important during pregnancy? 

• gestational diabetes is developed during some pregnancies. Women are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes if they have a BMI higher than 30kg/m²
• pre-eclampsia is a combination of raised blood pressure and the presence of protein in your urine. If left untreated it can be harmful to mother and baby
• increased risk of having a large baby which can cause complications during birth

NHS: Obesity and pregnancy (opens new window) has more information about the possible challenges associated with weight during pregnancy.

It is often confusing about how much weight we should gain during pregnancy. Recommended weight gain during pregnancy is dependent on the woman's BMI at the start of the pregnancy. Tommy's: Pregnancy Hub - How much weight should I gain in pregnancy? (opens new window) has plenty of useful information and guidance on weight gain during pregnancy. Whatever your BMI, you shouldn't aim to lose weight during pregnancy; a healthy balanced diet and staying active are key to a healthy pregnancy. Making healthy lifestyle changes before pregnancy will support a healthier pregnancy.

Eating a healthy pregnancy diet (opens new window) to a balanced diet and knowing what Foods to avoid when pregnant (opens new window).

Tommy's: Pregnancy Hub - How to eat well in pregnancy (opens new window)

Guidance can be found on NHS: Drinking alcohol while pregnant (opens new window).

Taking the right vitamins and supplements (opens new window) also visit Healthy Start (NHS): How to apply (opens new window).

Making Tommy's: Pregnancy Hub - Food swaps to help you eat well in pregnancy (opens new window).

Sign up to Start4life Mums (opens new window) for ongoing support throughout pregnancy and your child's early years.

What an Tommy's: Pregnancy Hub - 10 healthy snacks for added energy in pregnancy (opens new window) in the last three months of pregnancy looks like.

Tommy's: 10 tips for staying active in pregnancy (opens new window) in pregnancy and Tommy's: Exercise in pregnancy (opens new window) for overweight women in pregnancy.

Getting support for aq smokefree start can be found on quitting smoking in pregnancy.

Looking after your own emotional wellbeing , and having your own Tommy's: wellbeing plan (opens new window).

Understanding the truth of some well known Tommy's: Pregnancy hub - 10 pregnancy myths (opens new window).

In Wiltshire, pregnant women with a BMI of 30kg/m² or more are offered support with weight management as part of their antenatal care. In some areas this will include access to a flexible weight management programme called Maternal Healthy Me which is delivered by maternity staff. The programme is offered through 1-1 or group based sessions, covering a range of healthy eating and lifestyle topics to support pregnant women to have a healthy pregnancy. Speak to your Midwife or local maternity unit for more information.

Wiltshire IAPT Service (opens new window) offer a wide range of support to anyone with common emotional and mental health difficulties - women that are pregnant are given priority for receiving support. Wiltshire IPT Service: Pregnancy (opens new window) also on offers wellbeing during pregnancy and after baby courses to mothers who are interested in learning about tools and techniques to manage stress.

Healthy Start (opens new window) is changing to a Healthy Start (NHS): The new Healthy Start Scheme FAQs (opens new window) that offers a prepaid card to those applying for Healthy Start instead of paper vouchers. This card will be topped up every 4 weeks with your payment. If you are currently receiving paper vouchers you will be invited to apply online for the new scheme. In the meantime until the whole scheme moves to the new digital format Healthy Start (NHS): How to apply (opens new window) for Healthy Start in the usual way.

Healthy Start food vouchers are for children under the age of four and pregnant women only. You could get:

• £4.25 each week of your pregnancy (from the 10th week of your pregnancy)
• £8.50 each week for children under 1
• £4.25 each week for children between the age of 1 and below 4 years old

Vouchers are used to spend on healthy foods and vitamins to give your child the best start in life. To check your eligibility and to apply for healthy start see Healthy Start (NHS): How to apply (opens new window). Also speak to your Midwife or Health Visitor for more information.

To get support on achieving your healthy lifestyle goals you may want to seek support from our Wiltshire Health Improvement Hub. The Health Improvement Coaches can offer 6 sessions of one-to-one support to improve your mental wellbeing, stop smoking, reduce alcohol intake, increase physical activity, healthy eating or working towards a healthy weight. They will help to build confidence and motivation to enable you to achieve your goals.

Start4life Mums (opens new window) is an online support page for information on healthy eating and physical activity during pregnancy and for your baby in their early years. Sign up for ongoing support and advice.

GP referral (active health) offers physical activity opportunities to those referred by a medical professional, which is available to women during their pregnancy.

Continuing with physical activity during pregnancy is beneficial. Contact your local Leisure centre to find out about activity opportunities for you during your pregnancy. If you have any concerns about exercising during pregnancy, please consult your GP or Midwife.