Pregnancy nutritional needs and gastric bypass.
Many women have difficulty becoming pregnant when they are overweight. Increasing numbers of women are opting to undergo gastric bypass surgery so that they can lose the weight and become pregnant. However, once a woman has had the surgery, there are nutritional issues that she needs to be aware of for the sake of her baby's health once she does become pregnant.
About
Lack of nutrition can be a serious problem to babies growing in the womb of a mother who has undergone gastric bypass surgery. With this type of surgery, the rerouting of intestines can cause malabsorption issues such as the inability to absorb vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron and calcium.
Facts
People who have undergone gastric bypass surgery often struggle with getting enough folic acid, B12 and iron. These nutrients are considered essential for the health of the baby and the mother during gestation period.
Becoming Pregnant After Surgery
A woman who plans to become pregnant following gastric bypass surgery should consult with her physician regarding the pregnancy. According to Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D from the Mayo Clinic, most physicians will advise women to wait at least one year to a year and a half after the surgery to become pregnant in order to avoid nutritional deficiencies.
Nutritional Monitoring During Pregnancy
Typically, a doctor treating a gastric bypass patient who becomes pregnant will closely monitor the mother throughout the pregnancy. This monitoring involves detailed, routine blood testing to make sure that the nutritional levels are at the necessary levels for a healthy baby.
Breasting Feeding and Gastric Bypass
Women who have undergone gastric bypass surgery and want to breastfeed can do so, but nutrition is still a concern. Physicians will want to monitor the mother throughout the period of breast-feeding to make sure that there are adequate vitamin levels for the health of the baby.
