08/11/2018

Smoking And Obesity Highlighted In Welsh Maternity Report

A report by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has uncovered concerns about the rates of obesity and smoking during pregnancy among women in Wales.

Figures quoted in the study show that one in four pregnant women in the region are obese, and one in five are recorded as smokers.


Helen Rogers, the director of RCM Wales, said the rates are a "real worry".

"We know obesity and smoking can have an impact on stillbirth rates and women who are overweight do require extra support throughout their pregnancy.

"As with older mothers, levels of smoking and obesity add to the complexity of the workload faced by midwives."

Mrs Rogers added that the national trend for women becoming mothers later in life was also reflected in Wales and will put an extra strain on maternity services and increase the number of midwives needed.



(JG/CM)

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