What is the potential risk of obesity during pregnancy?

The potential risk of obesity during pregnancy significantly includes an increased risk of gestational hypertension. Obesity is associated with various physiological changes that can lead to complications throughout pregnancy. One of the major concerns is that excess body weight can contribute to the development of hypertension due to increased vascular resistance and blood volume overload. This condition can pose serious risks to both the mother and the fetus, leading to further complications such as preeclampsia, which can have significant health consequences.

Gestational hypertension is defined as high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy, and it can result in negative outcomes like preterm delivery, placental abruption, and impacts on fetal growth and well-being. The association between obesity and increased risk of this condition highlights the importance of monitoring and managing maternal health throughout pregnancy to mitigate these risks.

In contrast, other options do not align with the well-established findings regarding obesity during pregnancy, as they either downplay the risks or misrepresent the implications of maternal weight on reproductive health. The increased risk of gestational hypertension is a critical aspect of managing pregnancies in women with obesity.