Pregnant mother’s weight, glucose and blood pressure affect baby’s size (University of Bristol)

(Source: University of Bristol) Being overweight or obese in pregnancy causes babies to be born larger, according to new research led by the Universities of Bristol and Exeter. The study also found that having higher blood glucose (sugar) during pregnancy causes babies to be born larger. Conversely, having higher blood pressure in pregnancy causes babies to be smaller. It has long been known that women who are overweight or who have diabetes in pregnancy tend to have bigger babies. However, up to now it has been unclear whether the size of the baby has been caused by these characteristics in the mother, or what factors might be important in linking a mother's size to that of her babies. Now,...