Taking care of your health becomes more complicated when you find yourself eating, breathing, and basically living for two. With a baby now in your belly, seemingly non-threatening health issues start to give you reason to worry. The common cold makes you rush to the doctor, a simple headache causes a huge uproar, and, according to a study published in the Journal of Maternal-Fetal Neonatal Medicine, even your weight becomes a topic of concern when you’re pregnant. Researchers have found that being obese or even underweight may make your pregnancy and even your labor riskier than usual.

The study involved more than 3,000 pregnant women at different weight levels. Among the participants, 5.5 percent was extremely thin, 86.1 percent was of normal weight and 8.3 percent was seriously overweight. Those who struggled with obesity were more likely to develop hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and colonization with group B streptococcus. Overweight mothers were also more likely to resort to a caesarian section. However, underweight mothers also appeared to have their own share of problems as they were more likely to suffer oligohydramnios or the reduction in the amount of amniotic liquid. Their newborns were also at risk of being underweight.

Obviously, being on either end of the spectrum can cause problems for you and your baby. For best results, keep track of your weight. Are you gaining too much too fast? Do you weigh less than you should? To find out if your current weight may pose complications, consult your doctor.

(Photo by ♥♥♥ Fufue ♥♥♥ via Flickr Creative Commons)