Pregnancy health concerns in Wales

Wales has the highest rates in the UK of women who smoke, drink and are obese during pregnancy, research reveals.

A report from the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) said the issue is causing huge logistical problems for the NHS.

It highlights significant public health challenges in Wales, including teenage pregnancy, obesity and high levels of smoking and drinking.

Vinny Ness from the HIW is behind the report into midwifery care in Wales, which calls for midwives to be involved in promoting healthy lifestyles.

She said ‘getting to grips with the public health agenda and early intervention’ are vital in addressing the situation.

The RCM said women being overweight and smoking put their baby's health at risk.

Julia Chandler, the national officer for the RCM, said overweight pregnant women face potential risks such as giving birth to high or low weight babies.

But stressed that there are some ‘very successful programmes’ in Wales.

‘There's one in Cardiff where the midwives have worked with Slimming World to get women to start dieting in pregnancy on a very controlled pattern and it's been very successful,’ she said.

‘That continues then because it changes their lifestyle.’

She added: ‘Smoking mothers are at more risk of having a premature baby or a low birth weight baby.

‘Smoking affects blood vessels but can affect the way the placenta works.

‘We would encourage people strongly to give up smoking.’