Pregnancy After Weight Loss Surgery

If you are planning to have a baby, it's important to know that getting pregnant too soon after weight loss surgery can cause problems for both you and your baby. Please read this carefully and talk to your healthcare team if you have any questions.

Why You Should Wait at Least 12 Months

• Babies born too soon after surgery are more likely to be small or born early.
  These babies may need extra care in hospital after birth.
• Your body may not have enough important nutrients (like iron, folate, and vitamins).
  This can harm your baby's growth and health during pregnancy.
• There is a higher chance of miscarriage and needing a cesarean (C-section) delivery.
  Pregnancy during rapid weight loss can put extra stress on your body.
• You may have surgery-related problems during pregnancy. These include twisted bowels, internal hernias, or other issues that may need emergency surgery.
• Most experts say to wait 12 to 18 months after surgery before trying to have a baby. This gives your body time to lose weight, adjust, and rebuild nutrients.

What You Should Do

• Use reliable birth control (not just the pill).
• Get a blood test before pregnancy to check your iron, folate, and vitamin levels.
• Keep seeing your bariatric team, GP, and dietitian for support and advice.

If you do fall pregnant please inform your treating team as you will be referred to a specialist dietician and may require more intensive support.

References

1. Fisher et al. 'Pregnancy After Bariatric Surgery.' JAMA Network, 2023.
2. Pregnancy Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery. Obesity Surgery (Springer), 2019.
3. BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth. 'Micronutrient Deficiencies After Bariatric Surgery,' 2018.
4. Medical Journal of Australia. 'Fertility and Pregnancy After Bariatric Surgery,' 2022.