Obesity ups risk of death during pregnancy, experts warn
One major cause of death during pregnancy is blood clots
An alarming UK study has found that in recent years death during pregnancy is on the rise, the Daily Mail reported.
Experts believe obesity and women getting pregnant at an older age are contributing factors behind the increase in fatalities.
Statistics collected by the University of Oxford found 225 women in the UK died during or just after pregnancy between 2014 and 2016.
Although the number of women who die during pregnancy is small, study author Professor Marian Knight, of the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit in Oxford, urges doctors be aware of the risks to mothers of obesity and age may face.
"Women now are often older, heavier and have more complex physical and mental health conditions when they become pregnant," the reported stated.
Adding, "While we were once able to assume that pregnant women were by and large young and healthy, this is no longer always the case. Women in their 40s are three times more likely to die than women in their early 20s.
"It is time to start challenging our assumptions when faced with women with more complex health issues."
One major causes of death during pregnancy is blood clots, especially venous thromboembolisms.
Previous research has found diet and lifestyle changes can help obese pregnant women avoid complications.