In a recent study conducted by a gynecologist, it has been found that the health of the babies of obese mothers is at a risk and such women are more likely to have miscarriages or give birth to malformed babies.

It has been found that almost 50 per cent of overweight mothers give birth through caesarean section, in many cases weeks before the child is due to be born.

The statistics say that twenty five per cent of the babies born to obese women have a weight more than 4kg and this, along with the weight of their mother, can lead to problems during birth.

The shoulders of large babies have a risk of getting stuck in the birth canal, thereby creating a dip in the baby's oxygen levels and consequentially causing them injuries and nerve problems.

Women having a body mass index greater than 30kg/m2 are advised to think carefully first, meet their family doctor to discuss all implications and consequences of bearing a child in such a situation, and then go about their decision of becoming pregnant.