In the past, doctors were reluctant to advise obese women to lose weight during their pregnancies. It wasn’t considered safe for the babies.

But new research from Saint Louis University may change that.

In a study published in the June issue of Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, Dr. Raul Artal and his research team found that obese women can lose weight during pregnancy without hurting their babies.

Dr. Artal is Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health at Saint Louis University. He’s also an international expert on exercise during pregnancy.

For this research, Dr. Artal’s team studied 96 pregnant women who were obese and had gestational diabetes.

Of these women, 40% dieted and exercised to control their weight. The remaining 60% followed a diet that’s routinely used by gestational diabetes patients.

The babies were more likely to be of normal size if their mothers lost or maintained their weight during pregnancy.

But the women who gained weight usually had bigger babies. They also had more Cesarean sections.

The women who exercised rode stationary bikes or walked on treadmills at least once a week.

As an added benefit, obese women who lost or maintained their weight during pregnancy also retained less weight from the pregnancy.

But these diet and exercise guidelines wouldn’t be appropriate for normal weight or underweight women who become pregnant.

Important Disclaimer: This information is presented for educational purposes only. This isn’t medical advice and it’s not a substitute for any advice or treatment from your physician. You should always see your doctor before starting any new diet or exercise program — especially if you’re pregnant.