Finding out you’re pregnant is a big moment. For some it will spark excitement and joy; for others it will bring anxiety and fear; for most, it will be somewhere in between.

Whatever you’re feeling, one thing is for sure – pregnancy adds a pile of new things to the to-do list.

While booking an appointment with your GP, finding yourself a team of midwives and doctors and perhaps a doula to support you through pregnancy and birth feels like a no-brainer, going to see a dietitian might not even be on your radar. Research shows that mum’s nutritional status prior to conception and what she eats during pregnancy has a huge impact on a baby’s growth and development, yet it is not common practice to get expert advice from a pre-natal dietitian when planning a family.  Optimising mum’s nutritional status before conceiving is especially important if she has had bariatric surgery, as surgery has significant implications for her nutritional requirements and ability to meet them. It is advised that women wait 12 – 18 months to fall pregnant following bariatric surgery to allow their weight to stabilise. However, the hormonal shifts that occur with significant weight loss often mean women find themselves more fertile than they were before surgery. While there are many benefits to achieving a healthy weight prior to pregnancy, bariatric surgery comes with the risk of nutritional deficiencies on its own without the added nutritional demands of pregnancy. What’s more, babies born to mothers post bariatric surgery are at increased risk of fetal growth restriction, being small for gestational age, pre-term birth, still birth, congenital abnormalities and NICU admission. To help avoid these complications, it makes sense to get expert nutritional support which has benefits for both mum and baby. If you are a woman who has had bariatric surgery and are hoping to start a family, there is great benefit in adding a pre-natal dietitian to your pregnancy care team. Pregnancy is perhaps the most important time in a woman’s life to eat well, so get in touch and find out how we can help you and your baby have the best possible start with tailored nutrition advice that works for you. For more information contact Sydney West Physio References: Queensland Clinical Guidelines. Obesity and pregnancy (including post bariatric surgery). Guideline No. MN21.14-V6-R26. Queensland Health. 2021. Available from: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/qcg