Breastfeeding and Other Health Issues for New Mothers

Recent General Surgery News indicates that when obese women undergo bariatric surgery before the pregnancy, their babies are healthier. There are measurable metabolic differences when children born after the surgery were compared with the control group - children born before the surgery.

The post-bariatric surgery children had lower cholesterol level, less problems with insulin resistance (i.e. metabolic problem leading to diabetes). They also had belly fat five times less than their older siblings. Difference was noticeable even at birth. The infants born after their mothers' bariatric surgery weighed 17% less and had 86% less macrosomia (big baby, usually weighing more than 9 lbs. 15 oz.), i.e. less delivery complications.

The researchers saw mother's gestational health condition mirrored in their children. For instance, children of women who had undergone bariatric surgery measured less body mass index (BMI).
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