Living a healthy lifestyle before becoming pregnant can help women have uncomplicated pregnancies, according to a major new study today.
Researchers found links between diet, weight and blood pressure and healthy pregnancy.
There was also a strong link between a woman working at 15 weeks of pregnancy and a lack of complications.
The findings, reported in the British Medical Journal, come from monitoring some 5,000 women having children for the first time in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and Ireland.
The researchers say it is the first time researchers have studied the factors which contribute to uncomplicated pregnancies – rather than those linked to complications.
Some 61% of the women in the study had an uncomplicated pregnancy.
Researcher Dr Lucy Chappell, from King’s College, London, UK, said: "We have always known that a mother’s general health is important, but until now we did not know the specific factors that could be associated with a normal pregnancy.
"Although this is an early study, these findings suggest that by leading a healthy lifestyle both before and during pregnancy – including eating lots of fruit and maintaining a healthy body mass index – it could be possible for women to increase the likelihood of experiencing an uncomplicated pregnancy."
Jane Brewin, of baby charity Tommy’s, said: "It joins a growing body of evidence that leading a healthy lifestyle before becoming pregnant can be just as important as being healthy during pregnancy.
"Currently not enough is being done to promote all-round wellbeing for expectant mums and those planning a family, and this study shows that it’s important to reach out to women with practical tips and ideas on physical and mental health, to give every woman the best chance of a complication-free pregnancy."
Gail Johnson, of the Royal College of Midwives, backed the findings.
She said: "This research sends a positive message to women about the benefits and importance of a good diet and healthy lifestyle before and during pregnancy."
BMJ 22 November 2013
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