Pregnancy after weight loss surgery
As the number of people having weight loss surgery grows,
more and more women of childbearing age will undergo such
operations. Is it safe or even feasible to become pregnant after
weight loss surgery? If so, how long should you wait? Are there any
precautions you should take to ensure a healthy pregnancy and
delivery after surgery?
Pregnancy after this surgery can be safe and healthy if managed
well by you and your Midwife, or Obstetrician. In fact, research
suggests that pregnancy after weight-loss surgery might be safer
for both mother and baby than pregnancy complicated by obesity.
Women who are overweight may have difficulty becoming
pregnant. As you lose weight after surgery, hormones return to
more natural levels, and your fertility can increase. This means
you may start ovulating regularly, allowing you to become pregnant
more easily.
Weight loss may also improve symptoms of polycystic ovarian
syndrome (PCOS), increasing your fertility. Your chances of “getting
pregnant by accident” are therefore increased, if you are not using
birth control.
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