Overweight mothers could be putting babies at risk

London, Aug 15 (IANS) If you happen to be an overweight expectant mother, the chances are that you could be jeopardising the unborn baby's health for a lifetime, a new research has warned.

Women who were very fat during their pregnancy were 65 percent more likely to give birth to an extra large baby. The risk rose by more than two-and-a-half times for those who were considered to be obese, Daily Express reported.

The latest research was conducted to highlight the dangers to both mother and baby of a woman being overweight when she becomes pregnant.

The study of almost 10,000 mothers, who did not develop gestational diabetes, revealed that those who were overweight while expecting were 65 percent more likely to give birth to a large child.

Earlier studies had shown heavier women were more likely to miscarry healthy babies, develop blood clots and have a child more prone to obesity and a raft of health problems such as diabetes and heart problems.