It’s important to maintain a healthy weight during your pregnancy. There are impacts on your baby and birth if you are overweight or obese. The labour and delivery may be more difficult and possibly more risky and other risks include high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia; gestational diabetes; Deep Vein Thrombosis; stillbirth; early miscarriage; macrosomia (having a baby who is too big); and longer labour, labour being induced, emergency C-section, or having problems after the birth, such as infection or heavy bleeding. If you are overweight your baby is also more likely to be overweight and develop diabetes in later life. It can also become more difficult to monitor the baby, or to use an epidural. Also – just generally it’s more uncomfortable for you as an expectant Mum if you’re carrying too much weight, and it can put a lot of strain on your back and pelvic girdle. Overall it’s helpful to understand the risks so you can feel encouraged about the importance of getting your weight to a healthy level – ideally before you become pregnant – or during your pregnancy. Your midwifery team will help you – and there will be community or hospital weight clinics you can attend to help you along the way! This section has been advised by UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative.