Obese pregnant women risking babies' health SUPER-SIZED mothers-to-be are risking the lives of their babies­ and their own health, with one in 10 Victorian mothers­ now clinically obese. Just as smoking and drinking alcohol is now taboo during pregnancy, maternal health experts are calling for a public health campaign to re-educate­ women about the risks of excess body fat. With some Victorian mothers-to-be tipping the scales at almost 200kg during pregnancy, doctors are warning that women are risking increased chances of stillbirth and birth defects, and are also leaving themselves at risk of diabetes, cardiac problems and complications during delivery. The percentage of obese first-time mums with a body mass index higher than 35 at Victoria's busiest maternity service, Monash Women's, has almost quadrupled in eight years, from 3 per cent in 2005 to 11 per cent last year. A woman of average height, 161cm, is considered obese if she weighs more than 78kg. Monash Women's birth suite manager Lynne Stewart said many women were unaware of the stress a nine-month pregnancy added to already strained bodies. We've reached a stage where being impolite is necessary. We are seeing far too many obese women who are unaware of the serious health risks they and their unborn babies­ face. The complications are huge," she said. Just like women think about taking folic acid before they fall pregnant to prevent Down syndrome, we should be saying, if you want to get pregnant you need to be at a safe weight. Mercy Hospital for Women clinical director of obstetrics, Dr Bernadette White, said the rise in obese pregnant women over the past 20 years had forced them to install larger bariatric delivery beds and supports for use during lengthy caesarean procedures. Royal Women's Hospital chief medical officer Dr Christine Bessell said obesity made it more difficult to monitor the health of the baby during both pregnancy and labour. Ms Stewart said while women who had never exercised should not start strenuous programs once pregnant, it was important obese women maintained their weight during pregnancy, through healthy eating, walking or swimming. Their heart, kidneys, liver and other organs are already under such pressure and strain from the weight being carried. You add pregnancy to that and it just heightens it all.